Israeli MPs call for harsher military tactics in Gaza

A group of far-right Israeli lawmakers have sparked an uproar by proposing a series of measures to intensify the military campaign in northern Gaza, as Middle East Eye reported on January 3rd.

Eight members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee have urged Defense Minister Israel Katz to approve the destruction of food, water, and power supplies in the area. This move could plunge thousands of Palestinians into starvation.

The MPs have also proposed that any man, woman, or child who remains in the region without a white flag should be regarded as a “legitimate target” for military action. Many have widely criticized their proposal for its potential to worsen the already devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

READ: Palestinians without white flags in northern Gaza should be killed – Israeli MP’s

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The lawmakers representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party as well as coalition allies Religious Zionism, Jewish Power, and Shas argued in a joint letter that the military has failed to dismantle Hamas’ governance and operations effectively. They accused the army of not implementing the “proper” forced displacement of Palestinians from northern Gaza, where an estimated 70,000 people remain without food, shelter, or access to basic necessities amidst relentless airstrikes.

Human rights groups and international observers have condemned the proposal, warning that it could escalate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN has already described the situation in the besieged territory as catastrophic, with civilians bearing the brunt of ongoing violence and resource shortages. Critics also express concerns that if the lawmakers’ suggestions are enacted, they could amount to collective punishment, in violation of international law.

Middle East Eye