JERUSALEM

Eight right-wing members of Israel’s Knesset have called for a change in the military strategy in Gaza, arguing that the current approach is failing to achieve its objectives. In a letter to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the lawmakers urged an immediate shift to the “Generals’ Plan,” a five-point strategy aimed at securing a decisive victory over Hamas.

Since October 2023, Israel has been implementing a version of this plan, initially proposed by military retirees, which involves intensive airstrikes and a strict siege that has blocked the entry of food, water, and medical supplies in an attempt to force Palestinians to flee south.

The letter, signed by members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, including Amit Halevi, Zvi Sukkot, Ariel Kellner, Ohad Tal, Nissim Vaturi, and Osher Shekalim, was reported by Israel Hayom daily on Thursday.

The appeal comes after reports indicated that Hamas has been rapidly rebuilding its forces in areas from which Israeli troops have withdrawn, particularly in Khan Younis (southern Gaza) and Nusseirat (central Gaza).

The lawmakers expressed concern that the ground operation, which began on October 27, 2023, has not achieved its primary goal: dismantling Hamas’s military and government structures. Despite the relatively small operational area and the lack of sophisticated military capabilities on the enemy’s side, the operation has yet to meet its objective.

The committee members argue that Israel’s airstrikes have allowed Hamas to continue rebuilding its forces, prolonging the conflict into a “war of attrition” rather than leading to a decisive victory.

The lawmakers now call for the implementation of the “Generals’ Plan,” which includes evacuating residents from northern Gaza, imposing a siege to control the area and its population, and ensuring a conclusive victory rather than an extended conflict.

Lawmakers claim this strategy would reduce Israeli military’s casualties and prevent it from repeatedly returning to areas that had been previously searched.

The proposed strategy includes several key measures: encircling and displacing the population, destroying all energy sources, including fuel and solar power facilities, and eliminating food storage and water reservoirs. The plan also calls for the elimination of any individuals found moving in the area.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza has turned the enclave into what is often described as the world’s largest prison, with the siege now entering its 18th consecutive year. Israel’s ongoing war on the enclave has forced nearly 2 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to flee in dire conditions, amid severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

Following the imposition of the siege, the military would gradually enter Hamas strongholds, a strategy aimed at minimizing risks to Israeli soldiers.

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, which serves as a key oversight body for military operations, receives weekly intelligence updates on the progress of operations, sometimes with more detailed information than Cabinet ministers during discussions on temporary decisions.

The Israeli military continues its offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 45,650 people, mostly women and children, since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war on Gaza.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

Writing by Mohammad Sio