Blinken Asserts Israel Isn’t Following Generals’ Plan—Because Netanyahu Said So

Doha (Quds News Network)- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Israel is not implementing the Generals’ Plan, which aims to starve and kill all Palestinians north of Gaza City, because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that his army is not carrying out the plan.

“As I told you the other day, the government of Israel says that it is not the policy of Israel and also rejects the plan… Again, from the words of the PM directly to me, that is not Israel’s policy.” This assertion comes despite mounting evidence that Israel has begun to implement the plan in certain areas of northern Gaza.

During a press availability in Doha, Blinken responded to a question from BBC correspondent Tom Bateman, who highlighted comments made by war crimes lawyer Philippe Sands, emphasizing that “crimes are screaming out” in the current situation in Gaza. Blinken reiterated that the US stands against any efforts to impose a siege or starve the Gazan population, stating, “We will remain very clear about that.” However, Blinken did not indicate that his country would take practical steps to prevent such practices.

This clarification follows recent comments by Israeli journalist Almog Boker, who initially tweeted that the Israeli army had begun operations under the “Generals’ Plan” to ethnically cleanse northern Gaza. Boker later deleted the tweet, which suggested that the expulsion was part of a coordinated strategy to pressure Hamas fighters into submission. The deletion has fueled further speculation regarding the true intentions of the Israeli military operations.

Military analyst Itsik Zuarets reported that the Israeli army’s 162nd Division has begun operations in Jabalia, with plans to clear the area, effectively declaring northern Gaza a closed military zone. This aligns with growing concerns from human rights organizations about the impact on civilians in the region.

Adding to the controversy, Eran Etzion, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council, voiced concerns over the “Generals’ Plan,” categorizing it as a potential war crime. He urged Israeli soldiers to refuse participation in any actions deemed illegal, warning that such orders could lead to accountability in international courts. Etzion’s remarks highlight a critical perspective within Israel regarding the implications of ongoing military strategies.