Majed Hadeeb: What is happening in northern Gaza is related to the “Deal of the Century” that promotes the establishment of confined Palestinian enclaves that would make it easier for Israel to control them

Nizar Nazzal: The intensive Israeli attacks in the northern Gaza Strip, cutting off aid to citizens and starving them are just means to force them to leave

Antoine Shalhat: Israel's goal is to create a new reality in which "Gaza is destroyed and unlivable" and it does not hide its desire to maintain the occupation of the northern Gaza Strip

Yasser Manna: The Israeli plan has been clear from the beginning and aims to create a buffer zone in northern Gaza that is completely free of Palestinian residents.

Talal Okal: Israel seeks to establish a buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip extending more than five kilometers deep and to generalize the experience to Gaza City

Sari Samour: Israel is determined, through starvation and the “generals’ plan,” to complete the displacement in the north unless it faces real and tangible pressure

The opposite of what is happening in northern Gaza, in terms of the intensification of war and starvation, is a continuous Israeli escalation that aims at forced displacement and deepening the human suffering of the population through strong pressure tools that serve the occupation’s goal of displacement and then starting settlement.

In separate interviews with “I”, writers, political analysts and specialists believe that these Israeli policies are in line with the “Deal of the Century”, which seeks to establish besieged Palestinian reserves that facilitate Israel’s imposition of its control, pointing to the absence of real deterrence towards Israel, especially in light of the changing international balances and the growing global preoccupation with wars and the interests of many countries.

They confirm that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is getting worse, while effective international action remains absent, which places the Palestinian cause in the face of challenges that require national unity and intensified diplomatic efforts at the Arab and international levels.

Three scenarios for the current events in northern Gaza

Writer and political analyst Majed Hadeeb believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not have the decisive decision regarding the future of Gaza, because there are clear differences between the poles of his government, even if the most extremist parties seem more stubborn than him, which reflects the internal divisions within the Israeli far right.

Hadeeb explains that Gaza is part of the expected Palestinian state, which is recognized and supported by the majority of the world's countries. This support has increased recently, especially with the positions of the Scandinavian countries that recognized the Palestinian state, and the repeated international emphasis on the necessity of its establishment.

Hadeeb stresses that regional security and the continuation of normalization agreements with Arab countries have become linked to Israel’s position and Netanyahu’s extremist policies, which even exceed the positions of previous Israeli governments, complicating the smooth continuation of the Abraham Accords.

Hadib reviews three scenarios for the current events in the northern Gaza Strip and the ongoing war of extermination there. The first scenario stems from a religious ideological vision that aims to overthrow the idea of a Palestinian state and end all agreements that lead to its achievement, including the Oslo Accords.

The second scenario, according to Hadeeb, is to use military operations to pressure the Palestinians and push them to abandon the idea of an independent state within the borders of June 4, 1967, and instead search for security and livelihood solutions without an independent political entity.

Hadeeb believes that this strategy also aims to block the path of European positions supporting the two-state solution, considering that the European green light for Netanyahu to launch the war on Gaza came with the aim of paving the way for holding an international conference for peace and settlement after the end of the war.

The third scenario, which Hadeeb believes is likely, is related to the “Deal of the Century” plan, which promotes the establishment of Palestinian reserves or enclaves, making it easier for Israel to control them if it sees potential security or economic threats.

A pressure card in future negotiations

Hadib points out that the forced displacement operations in northern Gaza aim to use these events as a pressure card in future negotiations, not as a permanent strategic plan to reoccupy the Strip.

According to Hadeeb, Israel does not seek to occupy Gaza permanently, but rather uses temporary displacement as a means of pressure on the Palestinians, Arabs, and European countries.

Hadeeb stresses that the displacement of the population in the northern Gaza Strip, despite its tragedy, is not a permanent strategy for Israel, but rather a pressure tactic within the framework of security arrangements and future negotiations.

Hadib believes that these events are tools used by Israel to achieve its political and security goals.

Regarding the role of the international community, Hadib stresses that the current international silence is linked to the balance of global powers, as the United States still leads the international system, despite Russia’s attempts to restore its role as a global power.

Hadib explains that many European and Arab countries do not exceed the borders drawn for them due to common interests with the United States, while many Arab regimes avoid taking serious steps against Israel, contenting themselves with protecting their interests and showing their loyalty to Washington, including protecting Israel from attacks.

To confront the ethnic cleansing operations in Gaza, Hadeeb identifies three levels of action: Palestinian, Arab, and international.

In Palestine, Hadeeb calls on the Palestinian Authority and the PLO to form a national unity government based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, while activating the decisions of the Palestinian National Councils, especially the declaration of the Palestinian state in 1988 in Algeria.

He stresses the need for the PLO to resume its international contacts and benefit from the network of relations built by the late President Yasser Arafat to mobilize international support for the establishment of the Palestinian state.

In Arabic, Hadib suggests that Arab countries focus on strengthening the steadfastness of the Palestinians in Gaza by providing the minimum necessities of life, without the need for military intervention.

Hadib points out that the Arab countries have effective means of pressure, such as threatening to stop oil exports or sever diplomatic relations with countries that support Netanyahu's policies, which may lead to a halt to the killing and destruction.

Hamas Calls to Recognize Gaza as Part of Palestinian State

Regarding Hamas, Hadeeb calls on it, especially its leaders abroad, to recognize that Gaza is part of the future Palestinian state, and that it is subject to the Palestinian Authority under political agreements.

Hadeeb holds Hamas responsible for the repercussions of its continued hopes of regaining control over Gaza, as these hopes and attempts to revive them have dangerous repercussions on the Palestinian people as a cause and an existence, as Hamas has become a burden on the Palestinian people and a danger to their cause in light of the chaos it practices in politics and arbitrariness in decision-making.

Hadeeb calls on Hamas to move towards inviting the Authority to retake control of Gaza, while calling on the PLO to take over the negotiations with Israel, with a pledge to abide by all outcomes of those negotiations, especially those related to the prisoner exchange file and the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, as this is the real step towards restoring the prestige of the Palestinian people and their cause, without diluting or obscuring it with flimsy pretexts and excuses that Hamas provided to Israel due to what it was practicing in contradiction with its strategy and programs.

The Israeli goal goes beyond destroying infrastructure

Nizar Nazzal, a researcher specializing in Israeli affairs and conflict issues, explains that what is happening in the northern Gaza Strip falls directly within what the Israelis call the “generals’ plan.”

According to Nazzal, this plan is based on starving and displacing the population, as it aims to displace all the residents of the northern Gaza Strip towards the center or south, specifically towards areas such as Netzarim or the entire southern Gaza Strip.

Nazzal points out that targeting infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and even displacement camps, aims to make the area uninhabitable, which increases the chances of displacing its population.

Nazzal explains that the Israeli goal goes beyond merely destroying the infrastructure, but rather extends to re-settling Gaza, with a focus on the north of the Strip as a first step.

Nazzal points out that the intensive Israeli attacks in the northern Gaza Strip, the cutting off of aid and the starvation of the population are merely means to force the residents to leave, stressing that this settlement project was among the declared goals of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the beginning of the war.

Nazzal draws attention to what happened on October 26, 2023, when the Israelis began moving towards the Netzarim axis, reflecting the premeditated intention to empty the northern Gaza Strip of its inhabitants and create suitable conditions for settlement.

On the other hand, Nazzal believes that relying on the international community to stop the Israeli madness is a losing bet.

Nazzal points out that the world has become accustomed to seeing large numbers of martyrs and complete destruction of infrastructure in Gaza without serious action, noting that the international community, including the United Nations, the world order, and the official European order, follow the United States in its policies, while the official Arab countries are unable to take decisive positions or use effective pressure cards on Israel or its allies.

Nazzal asserts that Israel, with the support of the major powers, does not face any real international opposition to implementing its plan, pointing out that Donald Trump’s victory and the presence of Republicans in the American political scene strengthen the political environment that allows Israel to continue its policies.

Nazzal stresses that the current situation in the world, where countries such as Russia and China are preoccupied with their own interests, contributes to leaving Gaza alone in the face of the Israeli war machine.

According to Nazzal, what is required now is to strengthen Palestinian national unity as a first step to confront what is happening in Gaza, while Nazzal points to the possibility of the major Arab countries playing a role by using political and economic pressure cards with the United States, as well as by activating diplomacy with other major countries such as Russia and China.

Nazzal warns that Israel, which delayed implementing this plan for 13 months, is now ready to implement it, taking advantage of the current favorable circumstances and tacit international approval for what it calls an existential war.

Israel uses "circumvention" to express its intentions

The writer, political analyst and specialist in Israeli affairs, Antoine Shalhat, confirms that Israel does not hide its desire to maintain a military occupation in the northern Gaza Strip, even if it claims that it will be temporary until the resistance is eliminated.

Shalhat explains that Israel uses a tactic of evasion to reveal its intentions, but it continues with its policy of systematic genocide and destruction, in an attempt to displace the population through a combination of killing and starvation.

Shalhat stresses that the starvation policy being implemented is not limited to the northern Gaza Strip only, but rather includes all areas of Gaza, where the Israeli authorities deliberately prevent the arrival of relief and humanitarian aid, which deepens the suffering of civilians and increases the severity of the crisis.

Shalhat points to reports that Israel is seeking to reach a truce in Lebanon, with the aim of directing all its resources and capabilities to achieve its goals in Gaza without interference or obstacles. If the starvation policy does not work, Israel will not hesitate to use other tools to prevent rescue and relief operations, which will further complicate the humanitarian situation and put civilians in a very dangerous predicament.

Shalhat believes that Israel's ultimate goal is to create a new reality in the Gaza Strip, represented by a "destroyed Gaza" that lacks the most basic necessities of life, such that living there becomes almost impossible. Shalhat points out that some media outlets have begun to talk about a "destroyed Gaza" but under the euphemism "new Gaza."

Shalhat expressed his disappointment at the lack of effective international intervention, stressing that if there had been serious and effective international interventions, the situation in Gaza would not have reached this catastrophic level.

Shalhat believes that the international community has proven its inability to confront the genocide, displacement and starvation practiced by Israel, which reflects the identity of the contemporary world, which is characterized by its inability to curb Israeli policies, especially since Israel enjoys continuous support from the United States.

The key to stopping this tragedy lies with the United States.

Shalhat points out that the key to stopping this tragedy lies in the hands of the United States, which is now free from electoral calculations and its partisan and political interests.

However, Shalhat asks: What role should the Arabs play in defending the Palestinian people?

Shalhat stresses that the absence of a unified and pressuring Arab position allows Israel to continue carrying out its criminal operations without deterrence, and even pushes it to move forward with its plan to occupy northern Gaza.

Shalhat warns that Israel is proceeding with implementing its plan without hesitation, as it has not yet found anything to stand in its way or limit its policies.

Shalhat describes the ongoing war as having turned into genocide and total destruction under the cover of eliminating the resistance, while the world is content with issuing verbal statements of condemnation and denunciation that have no real impact on the ground.

Opening the way for the possibility of resettling settlers

Writer and expert on Israeli affairs Yasser Manna explains that from the beginning, the Israeli plan seemed to have clear objectives, as it aimed to create a buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip completely devoid of Palestinian residents, which would open the door to the possibility of resettling Israeli settlers as part of a long-term strategy to redraw the demographic landscape in the Strip.

Manna points out that Israel does not hesitate to use the utmost tools of force and violence to achieve this goal, through the forced displacement of the population and imposing a new reality on the ground that leads to emptying it of the Palestinian presence.

Manaa points out that this plan is being implemented amid international collusion and global silence, as Israel relies on the unlimited support it receives from the United States, whether on the political, military or intelligence levels.

Manaa explains that American support provides cover for Israel to continue its war on Gaza without effective international oversight, also taking advantage of the international community’s preoccupation with other crises, such as the escalating tensions in Lebanon and the controversy over the upcoming US presidential elections.

These factors, according to Manaa, contribute to providing a suitable environment for Israel to carry out its military escalation in the Gaza Strip, which takes on the character of a war of extermination manifested in the intensive targeting of civilians and residential areas.

In light of this complex reality, Manna’ stresses that the Palestinians are required to hold on to their land and resist attempts to uproot them, stressing the importance of concerted efforts between the Palestinian factions and the official leadership to achieve true national unity. This unity, according to Manna’, is the key to Palestinian steadfastness and thwarting Israeli plans.

In addition, Manaa points to the need for a broad international movement, mobilizing diplomatic efforts to expose Israeli crimes, and working to conclude a prisoner exchange deal that could contribute to curbing the escalation and opening new horizons for ending the aggression.

Manaa stresses that Israel's success in achieving its plan depends on the strength and steadfastness of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, while Tel Aviv is harnessing all its military, political and intelligence capabilities to ensure the success of the plan.

However, Manna believes that Palestinian steadfastness remains the most decisive factor in the battle for existence, despite all the attempts at displacement and oppression practiced by Israel.

Turning the lives of the population into hell

Writer and political analyst Talal Okal explains that what is currently happening in the northern Gaza Strip is a precise implementation of a plan drawn up by Israeli generals, which aims to turn the lives of the residents into hell, leaving them with only difficult choices: either death under heavy bombardment, or a slow death from hunger and thirst, or being forced to flee under a barrage of bombardment, with the accompanying risks of arrest and humiliation at checkpoints and crossings known as “halabat.”

Awkal points out that the Israeli army is deliberately working to disrupt all means of survival and rescue, as it does not allow aid to reach or for hospitals, municipalities, or even civil defense to operate.

The goal, according to Awkal, is to isolate the resistance fighters by isolating them from their popular base and leaving them to face their fate, either death by bombing or surrender as a result of starvation.

Okal explains that Israel seeks to create a buffer zone in the north of the Strip, extending more than five kilometers deep, and that if this experiment succeeds, the Israeli army will work to transfer this model to Gaza City itself, with the aim of pushing its residents towards the south of the Netzarim area.

Awkal stresses that these steps are being taken with full support and coverage from the administration of US President Joe Biden, which gave Tel Aviv a month to complete its mission. After this period expires, Israel seeks to obtain US approval to extend the operations.

Awkal expressed his regret for what he described as international silence, pointing out that the world stands by watching what he considers an ongoing genocide, while the only party capable of stopping this humanitarian catastrophe is the United States, which does not seem to have any hope of changing its position.

Awkal confirms that the field in Gaza and Lebanon imposes the option of compulsory steadfastness, especially in light of the continued complete Arab and Islamic silence.

Separating the north from Gaza under alleged security pretexts

Writer and political analyst Sari Samour asserts that what Israel is doing is implementing a clear and approved plan based on starvation policies and the generals’ plan, and it aims primarily to empty the northern Gaza Strip of its residents and separate this area from Gaza City under alleged security pretexts.

Samour cites reports issued by the Israeli media, which confirm the intention of the Israeli occupation forces to turn the northern Gaza Strip into an area free of civilians under the pretext of securing the borders and enhancing security, in an attempt to impose a new reality in the region.

Regarding international intervention, Samour points out that the world is unable to impose any tangible measures to stop the Israeli aggression.

He points out that Israel has not adhered to UN Security Council resolutions, and that major powers, such as the United States, openly and explicitly support Israel.

Samour explains that Russia, which used to have significant influence, is now preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, while China is facing its own problems, India has close ties with Israel, and the countries that take a neutral position are either ineffective or do not intervene.

Regarding the Arab and Islamic world, Samour describes the situation as one of extreme division, as Arabs and Muslims have been unable to form a unified front capable of pressuring Israel to stop military operations.

Samour asserts that the United States of America is the only party capable of stopping the war, because, in his opinion, it is the one leading this war and bears responsibility for giving the green light to Israel to commit these acts.

Samour points out that Israel would not have implemented these policies without explicit American support.

Samour expresses his pessimism about the possibility of stopping the ethnic cleansing in Gaza, especially in the north of the Strip, unless there is a radical change in the position of the surrounding Arab countries towards their relationship with Israel.

Samour believes that Egypt, in particular, has an important role to play. It can, for example, demand the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, pressure Israel to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, and threaten it with strict measures if it continues its policies of ethnic cleansing.

Samour warns of the seriousness of the situation, pointing out that Israel may not hesitate to implement the forced displacement plan even if this requires killing large numbers of the population or all of them.

Samour asserts that Israel is determined to complete its project of forced displacement in northern Gaza unless it faces real and tangible pressure from the international community or a decisive change in the positions of the influential Arab countries.