Under the Shadow of Starvation and Famine in Gaza; Netanyahu’s Dream for Greater Israel; A Clarion Call to the Arab Leaderships

Under the Shadow of Starvation and Famine in Gaza; Netanyahu’s Dream for Greater Israel; A Clarion Call to the Arab Leaderships

By: Dr. Mohammad Ajmal
Centre of Arabic and African Studies
School of Language Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi.

The United Nations has formally declared a famine in Gaza for the first time in the Gaza strip. The declaration comes amid months of heavy shelling and genocide against the people of Palestine, while hunger is being used as a weapon to deliberately drive the people of Gaza to death.

The extent is that the delivery of abundant food sent to Gaza by other countries and humanitarian agencies was systematically obstructed, while during the intervening periods, the extremely inadequate food provided was brutally attacked, along with starving children and mothers who arrived at the distribution points, as well as UN aid workers and journalists reporting on it.

On the other hand, the words and actions of Benjamin Netanyahu including his cabinet ministers show that systematic work is being done on a plan to expel Palestinians and push them to other countries. Zionist attacks are also going on, in which so far 62,744 Palestinians have been killed while 158,259 wounded, most of them children and women, likewise more than 9,000 missing, and hundreds of thousands are displaced.

According to the United Nations, the number of people who have died from famine and starvation has reached 300, including 117 children, while more than half a million people in Gaza are currently suffering from a devastating situation of famine, hunger and disease. While the famine is expected to spread into many other areas in the coming weeks.

Israel has stubbornly rejected the UN report and called the conclusions drawn a lie. In this connection, it seems necessary for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in cooperation with the relevant UN agencies to take immediate action and ensure that the lives of the people in Gaza are saved. The current situation is highlighting the need for a just solution to the Palestinian issue, for which diplomatic efforts should be intensified.

Truly, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has shaken the international conscience. The gravity of the situation has been further underscored by a recent statement by UN human rights chief Volker Turk, in which he described the widespread famine in northern Gaza as a direct result of the actions of the Israeli government. This is an allegation that amounts to a war crime, and the use of hunger as a weapon is a clear violation of international law.

According to the UN’s Global Hunger Monitor and Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population, or 514,000 Palestinians, are currently facing famine. This figure is expected to reach 641,000 by the end of September. Northern Gaza and Gaza City have been officially declared famine-affected, with 280,000 people dying of hunger. Areas such as Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunus could also be hit by famine next month. The situation confirms the warning of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that a devastating humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Gaza.

Ironically, the Israeli military agency COGAT has rejected these allegations, accusing Hamas of running a ‘false hunger campaign’, and has described the claims of other organizations, including the United Nations, as ‘baseless’. However, the facts on the ground and reports from international organizations contradict this denial. There have also been worrying revelations regarding the loss of human lives. Secret data from the Israeli military has revealed that 83 percent of the deaths in the Israeli war on Gaza were civilians.

As of May 2025, Israeli intelligence had reported 8,900 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters dead or likely dead, accounting for just 17 percent of total deaths. On the other hand, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, the total deaths during the same period were more than 53,000, it means that five out of every six Palestinians killed were civilians. Experts say this extraordinary rate of civilian casualties is rare in modern wars, and the figures reinforce accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s threat to completely destroy Gaza if Hamas does not surrender and release all hostages is further complicating the crisis. These threats are coming at a time when Gaza is already on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe. The international community needs to take urgent and effective action on this situation. Statements and condemnation alone are not enough. Ensuring unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, implementing a ceasefire, and prioritizing the protection of civilians are the urgent needs of the time.

World powers must play their role to prevent this human tragedy and ensure accountability of those responsible. The ongoing crisis in Gaza is a major question mark for humanity and its solution lies in the awakening of the global conscience and practical measures. In this context, the President of the Gaza Tribunal, Richard Falk, is absolutely right to say that “the United Nations should intervene with weapons to prevent the dangerous phase of genocide in Gaza. His statement that today’s real genocide, including the Holocaust, has never been so clear before, is a severe test for humanity. This is not a time for mere condemnations and statements, but for practical action on the ground”.

Here the obvious question arises that what role have Islamic nations played in this situation except for merely passing a few statements and holding conferences? Why their weapons are rusting? After all, for which enemy do Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, buy weapons from the West? It is time for them to forget their differences and come to the aid of the Palestinians and use their military power. Their silence and inaction are a question mark on the global conscience as well as the principles of Islamic brotherhood. This ongoing oppression in Gaza is a shame for all humanity, and every effort should be made to end it.

Amidst the use of starvation as weapon and spreading famine in the Gaza strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent interview is not just a statement, but a dangerous turn in Middle Eastern politics which sets Netanyahu’s dreams in the future of the region. In an interview with the Israeli channel i24News, Netanyahu openly admitted for the first time that he feels a deep connection to the concept of a “Greater Israel” and sees himself on a “historic and spiritual mission.” The announcement not only set a new course in Israeli politics but also set alarm bells ringing in the Arab world.

The concept of a “Greater Israel” is not a new thought. It is one of the main goals of the religious Zionist movement, which is connected to the idea of ​​the “Promised Land” described in the Hebrew Bible. According to it, the borders of Israel should extend from the Nile to the Euphrates, including present-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, parts of Egypt and northern Saudi Arabia. This dream had already taken the form of a political map in the minds of the founders of the Zionist movement in the late 19th century. During the period of British Mandate, this idea found diplomatic foundations, and finally, after the formation of Israel in 1948, its supporters began to adopt a phased policy.

This idea was given new life after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In that war, Israel captured East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. Although Egypt later regained the Sinai Peninsula, Israel retained control of the rest of the territory, and the right-wing leadership saw this as a step towards the “Promised Land.”

In the past, Netanyahu presented himself as a secular nationalist leader, distancing himself from the hard-line rhetoric of the religious Zionist movement. He was adept at portraying Israel to the West as a “modern, democratic and progressive” state. But in a recent interview, that veil was lifted. During the interview, host Sharon Gal, a former member of the right-wing party “Israel Our Home,” presented Netanyahu with a pendant depicting a map of the “Promised Land” stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. When Gal asked him if he believed in the map, Netanyahu said with no hesitation: “Very much.” The answer was not just a personal opinion, but a declaration of the direction of state policy.

This moment is also significant because previously Netanyahu had maintained a cautious distance from the hardline stance of the religious Zionist leadership. But in the face of Gal’s “gift,” instead of distancing himself, he openly declared his alliance with religious Zionism. This signals that Israeli government policy is now taking a theocratic, Zionist, and biblical narrative-based direction. One should also keep in mind that the current Israeli cabinet includes ministers like Bezalel Smotrich and Itemar Ben-Govir, who openly advocate the expulsion of Palestinians and the annexation of the West Bank. More interestingly, these two extremist Zionist leaders have their political residents in the West Bank itself. This stance of Netanyahu is a declaration of complete alignment with this extremist bloc.

This concept does not only mean making the establishment of Palestine impossible, but also extends its scope to the entire Arab region. It includes parts of Jordan and Egypt, the northern region of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon and parts of Iraq. This thinking effectively implies a rejection of existing diplomatic agreements and open aggression in the region. It is a policy that aims to redraw the map of the region and is not just an ideological dream but is being pursued under a systematic strategy.

Following Netanyahu’s statement, various Arab countries have reacted strongly: Jordan: “Dangerous and provocative escalation.” Egypt: “Tantamount to rejecting peace efforts.” Qatar: “Arrogant imperialist thinking.” Saudi Arabia: “Condemnation of expansionist plans.” Arab League: “A clear violation of Arab sovereignty.” But the question is, will this response be limited to mere statements or will it also translate into practical actions? History shows that condemnations alone cannot expose aggression. If the Arab world persists in its current weakness and inaction, Netanyahu will be emboldened to pursue this policy.

The biggest obstacle to Israel has always been the united Arab resistance, but this unity has been shattered in recent decades. In politics, many countries have established or strengthened relations with Israel, which has given Tel Aviv more confidence. The ongoing siege of Gaza is clear evidence that the silence of the international community is tempting Israel to take more dangerous steps.

Another aspect of this story is the double standards of the Western world. Most leaders of the United States and the European Union call every move by Israel “defense,” even if it is open aggression. This political backing serves as a shield for Netanyahu. Although countries like China and Russia criticize Israeli policies, their diplomatic activity is still limited to statements. To fill this gap, the Arab and Muslim world will have to make a fundamental change in its foreign policy. The countries of the region must understand that this issue is no longer limited to Palestine or Gaza, but a broader geographical and ideological threat. It cannot be fought with resolutions and statements alone.

The first and most immediate step is to break the siege on Gaza. Arab countries that have relations with Israel should consider suspending their agreements. A united Arab-Islamic front should be established that could exert political, economic and military pressure. The real dangers of “Greater Israel” should be highlighted in the media and in the academia.

Similarly, a coordinated legal campaign should be launched in the International Court of Justice and the United Nations. Netanyahu’s recent statements are proof that Israel is now shedding its secular mask and making the pure ideology of religious Zionism part of state policy. This is not just a Palestinian issue but also a question for the existence of the entire region. If the Arab and Muslim world still do not show practical unity, then the map of Greater Israel stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates may not be far off. Hope the clarion call is heard!