Gaza Resettlement and Rising Tensions

There are growing calls from Israel’s far right-wing Likud party advocating for the permanent occupation and resettlement of Gaza. Although the settlement of Gaza is not in Israel’s official policy, two senior far-right cabinet members and six members from his party have taken part in pro-settlement rallies in which they have discussed their future aspirations regarding Gaza according to NPR. Until recently, most believed that the resettlement of Gaza was unlikely, however, with Israel’s persistent military efforts in the northern part of Gaza, including the forceful evacuations of Palestinians residing in Beit Hanoon, Beit Lahiya, Jabalia refugee camp, and Jabalia town, and the elimination of humanitarian aid transfers into the area, the possibility for a change of borders has become increasingly likely, paving the way for the continuation of conflict in the region.

As the Israeli military persists in its large-scale operation in northern Gaza, which the government claims is an attempt to destroy the reorganized Hamas forces, some have stated that these actions may be the first part of what the Israeli military has dubbed the “Generals’ Plan” according to Al Jazeera. This tactic involves ethnically cleansing the northern Gaza Strip and starving whoever is left in the area, operating under the assumption that those who stay behind are legitimate military targets. Due to the backlash Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing over his handling of the war, The Times of Israel has reported that Netanyahu is considering this plan, possibly as a way to declare victory against Hamas.

Although such a tactic would undoubtedly amount to war crimes, Israeli officials who spoke anonymously to the Washington Post stated that the general’s plan offers a potential path for those who want to see Jewish settlements return to Gaza. Additionally, politicians who support resettlement such as Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have also promoted the idea of mass relocation of Palestinians outside of Gaza, a policy that is currently being carried out by the repeated evacuation orders in northern Gaza. Based on the lack of food, water, and medical supplies entering the strip, Sawsan Zaher, a Palestinian human rights lawyer, has stated “Israel is trying to erase the Palestinian presence in north Gaza.”

However, other Israelis have expressed fierce opposition to the idea of settling Gaza. A family member of a victim of the October 7th attacks stated, “It won’t bring our hostages back, and it won’t bring peace. It will be just … a war, and I don’t want more war and more war and more war,” according to NPR. Moreover, many have been angered by the lack of progress the war in Gaza has produced, evidenced by protesters who interrupted Netanyahu’s speech at a memorial for the victims of October 7th where they repeatedly shouted, “Shame on you.” Given Netanyahu’s ambiguous goals of “destroying Hamas,” people have begun to denounce his policies, calling him a murderer who has failed to broker a deal to save the lives of the remaining hostages.

Despite criticisms, Israel has carried on with its military strikes in northern Gaza, making the current possibility for a ceasefire elusive. In the meantime, it is imperative that humanitarian aid and healthcare workers are allowed into the northern part of Gaza to support the civilian population. Along with South Africa’s case against Israel, urgent work must be done by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold Netanyahu and all parties responsible for crimes committed against the Palestinians as well as halt any efforts for the resettlement of Gaza.

To summarize, the current polarization within Israeli society—between far-right leaders who support an aggressive approach to Gaza and others who remain deeply opposed to further tensions—underscores the competing visions for Israel’s future. To begin working toward the end of the war, support for innocent civilians and the involvement of international institutions are essential steps to improve security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

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