Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to the deaths of more than 42,000 Palestinians in the last year, with little progress toward resolution. Amid growing discontent within Israel over the war’s stagnation and the continued holding of hostages by Hamas, a strategy known as the “Generals’ Plan,” or Eiland Plan, is now being discussed as a potential solution.
This plan, which proposes a drastic shift in military tactics, was published by the Forum of Commanders and Soldiers in the Reserves, an Israeli NGO that includes over 1,500 military officers. The group is highly critical of Israel’s military strategy since the war began in October 2023, advocating for more decisive actions. The strategy involves the forcible evacuation of northern Gaza, halting all humanitarian aid, and besieging the region to cut off food, water, and supplies in an effort to starve out Palestinian fighters and civilians who remain.
The central figure behind the plan, Major General (Ret.) Giora Eiland, a former head of Israel’s National Security Council, has repeatedly called for more aggressive tactics. Since the early stages of the war, Eiland has argued that Israel should ignore humanitarian concerns, believing that only severe pressure—such as total destruction and starvation—can lead to the defeat of Hamas.
The plan’s two stages are clear: First, forcibly evacuating the remaining population in northern Gaza and then imposing a complete blockade, preventing the entry of any humanitarian aid. This strategy, the authors claim, is legally justified as long as civilians are given an opportunity to leave through designated corridors.
Support for the plan has been growing among Israeli politicians and military leaders, with some speculating that parts of it are already being implemented. The Israeli army has been pushing for more control over humanitarian aid distribution and launched major attacks on key areas of northern Gaza in recent months. There is now a real possibility that Israel will move to occupy the northern Gaza Strip, transforming it into a military zone.
The Generals’ Plan has drawn sharp criticism due to its extreme nature, which involves using starvation as a weapon and potentially committing war crimes. Despite this, 27 members of Israel’s Knesset have expressed support for the plan, calling for its full implementation. Meanwhile, within the military, high-ranking officials are reportedly already planning to enforce elements of the strategy.
Observers note that the situation in Gaza is increasingly aligning with the tactics described in the Generals’ Plan, with an intensifying siege and further restrictions on aid. While proponents argue that these measures are necessary to ensure a decisive victory over Hamas, opponents caution that it could lead to further humanitarian disasters and escalation in the region.