Gaza Becomes Israel’s Endless War and a Lasting Hell for Its People — Permanent Occupation Looms Amid Political Shifts

Watan-The Economist magazine criticized Israel’s new plan to fully occupy Gaza and take over the distribution of humanitarian aid under the pretext of defeating Hamas, calling it a deeply flawed strategy.

On May 5, the Israeli government dramatically shifted course, announcing a renewed military expansion in Gaza along with a centralized aid distribution plan.

While Israel’s far right views the plan as a step toward permanent occupation, pragmatic voices in the defense ministry see it as a way to deliver another blow to Hamas. Critics, however, argue the plan will only result in more suffering and death for Gaza’s civilians.

The decision comes just days before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the Gulf on May 13—his first international trip since beginning his second term in office—with Gaza expected to be high on the agenda.

Inside Gaza, resource shortages have reached a critical point, with Israel accused of pursuing a deliberate starvation policy. A total blockade has been in place for over two months, preventing food, medicine, and fuel from entering. Water desalination and pumping systems have shut down, and this is now the longest blockade since the war began after Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

While intense combat has decreased since the collapse of the ceasefire in late March, Gaza remains militarily unstable. Weekly death tolls have halved, but the cumulative number of Gazan fatalities has now reached approximately 52,000.

The halt in aid has prompted Palestinian officials and relief agencies to warn of imminent famine. These starvation allegations are especially charged, given that prior UN warnings in 2024, alongside Israeli political statements about denying Gaza food, were key to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. A parallel genocide case remains ongoing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

While the anticipated famine has not officially materialized, The Economist notes that Israel’s willingness to use food as leverage is real.

Israel now claims that there is enough food and medicine in Gaza since the blockade began, blaming Hamas for spreading false narratives, seizing aid, manipulating markets, and enriching itself while controlling civilians. It accuses humanitarian organizations of being “naïve.”

On the ground, however, severe suffering is undeniable. Grocery stores are empty, bakeries have closed, and communal kitchens are overwhelmed. Families depend on one hot meal a day—if that.

UN spokesperson Olga Cherevko stated, “Our main warehouse used to distribute food in Gaza City is now empty.”

A former civil servant said, “We recycle water several times,” while people live in tents surrounded by garbage.

Dr. Khaled Dawas said, “People are living like animals.” According to the World Food Programme, food prices have skyrocketed—flour that once cost 50 shekels ($14) now sells for 1,200 shekels ($330). Displaced teacher Akram said he sends his children to line up with containers, sometimes receiving beans, sometimes soup. “We go to bed hungry every night,” he said. Their supplies will last two more weeks—“we have lots of cooking oil but no fuel.”

Most agricultural land in southern Gaza is under Israeli occupation. Around 78% of greenhouses and 72% of the fishing fleet have been destroyed. Only 1% of Gaza’s chicken population remains. Malnutrition, especially among children, is surging.

Gaza’s health authority—under Hamas—reports that 57 people have died of starvation since the war began. International agencies suggest pre-existing conditions may have contributed, but malnutrition likely played a role.

Even Israeli officials now acknowledge that available food could run out within weeks.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, appointed for his toughness, claimed the army would not use starvation as a tactic and urged Netanyahu to resume food supplies. However, military officials also seek to collapse what remains of Hamas’ economy—one proposed idea is to withdraw the 200-shekel banknote used in Gaza to weaken Hamas finances.

Israel’s new plan, backed by the U.S., is to create “distribution centers” in Gaza, where one family representative collects a two-week supply of food and hygiene items. Initially, one or two centers will be opened in the south as a pilot phase, possibly expanding to ten. The Israeli army will secure convoy routes, while U.S. security contractors (i.e., mercenaries) will guard the centers internally.

However, on May 4, a coalition of UN agencies and NGOs warned the plan was “dangerous,” as it forces civilians into military zones to receive food, endangering their lives.

The Economist highlights major flaws: indefinite dependency on aid, unclear support for hospitals or shelters, and lack of donor transparency, despite U.S. involvement. A shadowy international entity will pay contractors, but no clear financial plan has been revealed.

Israeli officials hope aid agencies will eventually cooperate, believing this is the only way to bypass Hamas’ influence over humanitarian distribution.

This aid plan is meant to complement expanding military operations. On May 5, the cabinet approved broader ground actions, though no specifics were announced. Some ministers are calling for full occupation and population containment around the aid centers—a move General Halevi opposes, fearing it risks hostages and stretches IDF resources too thin.

Any significant military move is unlikely within the next two weeks, pending reserve unit mobilization.

Ultimately, the only figure with the leverage to alter course is President Trump. Netanyahu fears Arab leaders may pressure him to urge Israel back into ceasefire talks.

Without U.S. backing, Israel is unlikely to proceed with its current plans. Gaza has become Israel’s forever war—and Gaza’s eternal hell.