DaysofPal- As the Israeli occupation grapples with its inability to achieve decisive military objectives in its war on the Gaza Strip, it has increasingly turned to unconventional methods such as blockades, starvation, and the severing of basic services.
Despite employing these tactics for over 500 days, they have failed to break the will of the Palestinian resistance or diminish the resilience of Gaza’s population.
In a detailed analysis of this evolving strategy, two prominent military experts highlight how Israel’s reliance on starvation and blockade underscores its loss of conventional military effectiveness against Gaza.
For the thirteenth consecutive day, Israel continues to enforce the closure of Gaza’s crossings, preventing the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel essential for the survival of more than two million Palestinians.
This move is widely seen as an attempt to leverage starvation as a coercive tool to pressure the resistance into accepting Israel’s demands.
Military and strategic expert Nidal Abu Zeid asserts that Israel’s shift toward unconventional violence—such as siege, starvation, and power outages—marks its inability to return to traditional military options.
Speaking to Palestine newspaper, Abu Zeid explains that the escalation of these tools aligns with U.S.-led diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing negotiations, reflecting a “carrot and stick” approach amidst the stalemate.
“These methods, employed relentlessly over 523 days of extermination, have not yielded the desired results,” Abu Zeid notes. “The Palestinian people remain steadfast, and the resistance continues its operations despite the hardships.”
He adds that Israeli strategy hinges on inciting internal dissent among Gazans against the resistance, but this overlooks the ideological foundation of “strategic patience” underpinning the resistance movement—a principle that diminishes the efficacy of such coercive measures.
Hebrew media outlets corroborate this assessment, raising doubts about Israeli readiness to resume large-scale military operations in Gaza.
Amos Harel, a respected Israeli military analyst writing for Haaretz , observes, “A significant danger threatening the idea of returning to war in Gaza is the potential refusal of reserve soldiers to report for duty due to exhaustion and growing skepticism.” Such reluctance highlights the psychological toll inflicted by prolonged conflict and undermines Israeli capacity to sustain another offensive.
Palestinian Resilience: The Ultimate Countermeasure
Issam Malkawi, another leading expert in military and strategic affairs, emphasizes that while policies of starvation might succeed elsewhere, they are categorically ineffective against the Palestinian people.
Addressing Palestine newspaper, Malkawi states, “The Palestinian people have endured decades of oppression and abuse, yet none of these tools have managed to break their resolve.”
Malkawi argues that Israeli occupation has exhausted all possible means to subjugate the Palestinians, leaving it desperate and reliant on extreme measures like tightening the siege and starving civilians. “Hunger may weaken the body, but it cannot extinguish the soul,” he declares.
“Those who eat to live are fundamentally different from those who live to eat. Even amid severe food shortages, the Palestinian spirit remains unyielding, transcending material deprivation.” He added.
Israeli genocidal crimes during its campaign against Gaza, including deliberate starvation, destruction of infrastructure, and forced displacement, have only strengthened the resolve of its inhabitants.
Since October 7, 2023, when the occupation launched its genocidal assault, Palestinians have faced dire conditions, resorting to consuming alternative sources of sustenance such as animal feed and grass due to Israeli stringent restrictions on aid deliveries. Yet, even in the face of famine and reduced daily meals, the collective determination of Gaza’s residents persists.
A Failed Strategy Amidst Global Scrutiny
The occupation’s use of starvation as a weapon reflects its broader failure to impose a lasting solution through conventional military force.
Instead, its desperate attempts to manipulate civilian suffering reveal deeper cracks within its own ranks and strategies.
As the international community increasingly scrutinizes these actions, the resilience of the Palestinian people stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to liberation and justice.
Ultimately, the ongoing siege and starvation policy serve less as instruments of control and more as symbols of Israeli diminishing options in its protracted struggle against Gaza.
Whether through military might or economic strangulation, the Israeli occupation continues to confront an indomitable adversary whose strength lies not merely in resources but in an unshakable belief in freedom.
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