Israel’s recently unveiled strategy for Gaza has ignited widespread concern among international observers and human rights organizations, who warn that the plan could significantly escalate the displacement of Palestinians and lead to further humanitarian crises.
On May 7, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new initiative aimed at dismantling Hamas and retrieving hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks. The plan involves relocating hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from northern Gaza into six designated encampments. Each camp is expected to house between 5,000 to 6,000 families, with food distribution managed by aid groups and private security contractors. Facial recognition technology will be employed to monitor aid recipients, a measure critics argue could lead to the exclusion of many Palestinians under the pretext of security concerns.
Legal experts and humanitarian organizations have condemned the plan, describing it as a form of ethnic cleansing. Diana Buttu, a legal scholar and former adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization, stated that the strategy uses food as a weapon of war, aiming to forcibly displace the Palestinian population under the guise of humanitarian aid.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply since the onset of Israel’s military campaign. Over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the blockade has led to severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Aid organizations report that 92% of Gaza’s residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
International reactions have been swift. UN experts have called for immediate action to prevent the “annihilation” of the Palestinian population, criticizing the global community’s inaction. Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Chief have labeled Israel’s expanded military plans as violations of international law. French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as “critical,” while Spain is advocating for urgent UN measures.
The plan’s implementation has also raised concerns about the potential for long-term occupation. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared that Gaza “will be entirely destroyed,” with plans to displace its Palestinian population to third countries. This approach has been criticized as a violation of international humanitarian law, with the International Criminal Court considering further legal actions against Israeli leaders.
As the situation unfolds, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the escalating crisis and ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Source; Al Jazeera
