• Haaretz accuses Netanyahu of leading an “ethnic cleansing operation” in Gaza, using the “Generals’ Plan” to displace Palestinian residents permanently.
• The editorial holds Netanyahu responsible, calling it a deliberate strategy to reshape Gaza’s demographics in defiance of international demands for a ceasefire.
In a scathing editorial, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military of leading what it describes as an “ethnic cleansing operation” in northern Gaza. Published under the headline “Netanyahu’s Orders,” the editorial denounces a military strategy known as the “Generals’ Plan.” This plan, allegedly designed by a group of retired military commanders, includes the systematic removal of Palestinian residents from the region, purportedly to secure “freedom of action” for Israeli forces. However, Haaretz argues that the true driving force behind the plan is Netanyahu’s government, turning what could be seen as military tactics into what the newspaper calls a “premeditated act of human destruction.”
The editorial references firsthand observations by military correspondent Yaniv Kubovich, who toured the region with Israeli forces and described the northern Gaza landscape as resembling a disaster zone, devastated as if by a “natural disaster.” But Kubovich emphasizes that this destruction is far from accidental. Instead, he describes it as “premeditated human destruction,” with the “Generals’ Plan” merely providing the operational cover for policies driven by Netanyahu’s administration. According to Haaretz, the plan is being executed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) under direct political orders from Netanyahu and his defense minister, with strict directives to prevent Palestinian residents from returning to their homes, effectively erasing their connection to the land.
In an interview with reporters, Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, commander of the 162nd Division, confirmed that his mission involves creating a “cleansed space” in Gaza, where populations are displaced “for their protection.” Cohen insists that the removal of residents is necessary to allow Israeli forces “freedom of action” in the area. When questioned about whether the IDF is implementing the “Generals’ Plan,” Cohen denied any explicit knowledge of such a directive but confirmed that the IDF’s actions were guided by the orders of the Southern Command and the chief of staff. Haaretz interprets Cohen’s statements as a subtle acknowledgment of a broader campaign, one it believes is deliberately designed to drive Palestinians from northern Gaza under Netanyahu’s directive.
The impact of this military campaign has already been severe. Since October, Israeli forces have blocked the entry of food, water, and essential supplies to northern Gaza, impacting cities such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun. This blockade has raised alarms among international humanitarian organizations. The United Nations’ Famine Review Committee recently warned that famine is “imminent” in northern Gaza, particularly affecting children and vulnerable populations. UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini publicly accused Israel of “weaponizing hunger” against Gaza’s residents, calling the unfolding crisis a deliberate and calculated humanitarian disaster. Despite these warnings, Haaretz places the blame squarely on Netanyahu, arguing that the suffering of civilians is a byproduct of his administration’s strategy.
The article doesn’t stop at criticism of current policies but calls for accountability at the highest levels. Haaretz argues that the “Generals’ Plan” should be rebranded as “Netanyahu’s Orders,” a title it believes more accurately reflects the top-down nature of the policy. The editorial goes so far as to accuse Netanyahu of war crimes, citing the forced displacement of Palestinians, the destruction of their homes, and what it describes as the calculated preparation for a prolonged occupation and eventual settlement in Gaza. By linking these actions directly to Netanyahu, Haaretz challenges the narrative of a purely defensive military operation and asserts that this campaign has been part of Netanyahu’s broader political agenda for Gaza, arguably from the very beginning—a calculated policy aimed at permanently reshaping Gaza’s demographics and territorial control, pursued in direct defiance of mounting international calls for a ceasefire.
This condemnation comes as Israel faces increasing global scrutiny and legal challenges. Despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate halt to hostilities, the offensive in Gaza has continued unabated, sparking widespread protests and diplomatic backlash. For several months, Israel has been under investigation by the International Court of Justice, facing examination for potential acts of genocide. Additionally, the International Criminal Court has applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the death toll among Palestinians has risen dramatically, with over 43,500 killed and 100,000 wounded since the offensive began. Adding to the tragedy, an estimated 11,000 people remain missing, likely buried beneath the rubble that blankets much of Gaza. The majority of these casualties, as documented by humanitarian organizations, are women and children.
The war on Gaza has also caused a large-scale displacement crisis, forcing nearly two million Palestinians from their homes. The majority of those displaced now crowd into Rafah, a southern city near the Egyptian border, where living conditions are dire. This mass relocation marks the most significant Palestinian exodus since the Nakba of 1948. Some Palestinians have fled southward in search of safety, only to find themselves trapped in a conflict zone with dwindling resources and few avenues for escape.
In its blistering conclusion, Haaretz leaves no doubt about where it believes responsibility lies. The newspaper argues that the ongoing ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza cannot be viewed as an isolated military operation but rather as a deliberate and organized strategy under Netanyahu’s orders. By enforcing this policy, Haaretz contends, Netanyahu is attempting to permanently alter Gaza’s demographic and political landscape. The editorial stresses that such actions violate international norms and constitute what it terms “war crimes” under Netanyahu’s direct supervision, sparking an urgent call for accountability. Haaretz has amplified the demand for justice, insisting that the world recognize the true nature of Netanyahu’s campaign—a systematic attempt at ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
