Ultra-Conservative Israeli Lawmakers Call for Comprehensive Evacuation of Northern Gaza Region
Tear 'Em Down: Israel's War on Gaza's Essentials
By Brett Wilkins*Staff Writer*Common Dreams
In the latest twist of Israel's ongoing conflict with Gaza, several far-right members of the Knesset have demanded the complete annihilation of the region's water, food, and energy sources, going as far as to call for the deaths of Palestinians who do not surrender.
In a letter to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, the hardliners accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of insufficiently addressing their objectives. Specifically, they criticized the IDF's campaign to forcibly expel Palestinians from Gaza and claimed it was failing to eradicate Hamas' influence.
The lawmakers requested the IDF to:
- Destroy all energy sources, including fuel, solar systems, generators, and power lines.
- Obliterate all food sources, such as warehouses, water, and water pumps.
- Impose a siege and remotely target anyone without a white flag of surrender.
Sadly, these harsh demands don't just apply to combatants but also to innocent men, women, and children. The IDF, according to the letter, would then gradually enter Gaza for a "complete cleansing."
Signatories of this letter included Avraham Bezalel (Shas), Amit Halevi (Likud), Limor Son Har-Melech (Jewish Power), Osher Shkalim (Likud), Zvi Sukkot and Ohad Tal (Religious Zionism), and Nissim Vaturi (Likud). It's disheartening to note that Vaturi, also the deputy Knesset speaker, has, in the past, advocated for "wiping Gaza off the face of the Earth."
Conspicuously absent from their demands was any mention of the more than 60 hostages believed to be captive in Gaza.
Responding to this escalation, one Israeli journalist, Bar Peleg, recently reported from the Jabalia refugee camp that military personnel admitted their focus was solely on destroying Hamas and its infrastructure—with no regard for hostages.
Gaza's northern region is already buried under ruins, with not a single habitable building remaining. The camps face widespread destruction, primarily targeting hospitals, schools, and homes. As one IDF officer remarked, "No one has done this before."
Critics have alleged these actions amount to ethnic cleansing, and UN officials estimate that over 100,000 Palestinians have been forced to flee the region.
Israeli journalist and activist Noam Chomsky recently accused Israel of engaging in "crimes against humanity" and committing acts of genocide against the Palestinian people. These accusations have been supported by extensive documentation of Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
Under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israel currently faces charges for war crimes at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Both officials are also wanted by the International Criminal Court.
To date, Israel's 455-day bombardment, invasion, and siege of Gaza have left at least 165,000 Palestinians dead, wounded, or missing. The unfolding humanitarian disaster in Gaza calls for global action to hold Israel accountable for these alleged crimes against humanity and potential genocide.
Published* by Common Dreams, 01.03.2025, under the terms of a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported* license.
Enrichment Data:
Rhetoric and Justification:Far-right members of the Knesset have used extremist rhetoric, including calls for genocide and ethnic cleansing. They justify these actions by blaming Palestinians for terrorism and resistance efforts against Israeli occupation.
Legal Proceedings:Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are facing charges at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court for war crimes and potential genocide against the Palestinian people.
Historical Context:Israel's ongoing occupation and conflict with Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip, have caused widespread suffering, displacement, and death for Palestinians. These actions have been documented by numerous human rights organizations and the United Nations. Critics argue that these actions constitute ethnic cleansing and war crimes against humanity, as well as potential genocide.
Politicians in Israel's Knesset have utilized extreme rhetoric, calling for the destruction of Gaza's essential resources such as water, food, and energy sources, which could potentially lead to the deaths of innocent Palestinians. This aggressive stance, condoning the annihilation of infrastructure and people, can be tied to the larger context of war-and-conflicts and politics in the region. Furthermore, the hardline politicians' demands have raised concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with possible implications in general-news coverage.
