Netanyahu tells lawmakers he’s considering ‘Generals’ Plan’ to lay siege to northern Gaza
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells lawmakers that he is weighing the so-called Generals’ Plan to lay siege to northern Gaza, promoted by a group of senior IDF reservists.
Speaking to members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in a closed session, Netanyahu indicates that the plan is one of several being examined and brought to the cabinet for further discussion in the coming days.
Addressing the committee last week, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Giora Eiland said that the plan, which is not backed by the United States, would “change the reality” on the ground in Gaza.
“We have to tell the residents of north Gaza that they have one week to evacuate the territory, which then becomes a military zone; [a zone] in which every figure is a target and, most importantly, no supplies enter this territory. A siege is not only an effective military tactic; it is also compliant with international law. What matters to Sinwar is land and dignity, and with this maneuver, you take away both land and dignity,” Eiland explained at the time.
According sources familiar with the discussion, Netanyahu declines to address MK Gideon Sa’ar’s announcement yesterday that he had declined the prime minister’s offer of Yoav Gallant’s post as defense minister amid the significant escalation of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Netanyahu also denies standing in the way of a hostage deal, insisting that Hamas demanded 29 revisions to a proposed ceasefire outline.