Intentional Famine Strategy to Pressure Palestinian Resistance
Jafar Qannadbashi, in an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations website, discussed the Zionist regime’s policy of deliberately creating famine in Gaza since the start of its aggression. He stated: “This action by the Zionist regime aims to achieve several key objectives.
First, pressuring the Hamas movement to gain concessions in negotiations, particularly regarding the release of the Israeli regime’s prisoners, and forcing Hamas to accept the regime’s conditions in the talks. This blockade, which the World Food Program says has pushed Gaza families to the brink of starvation and full-scale famine, is part of the Zionist regime’s strategy of maximum pressure to weaken the will to resist. The second objective is to prevent Hamas’s political victory in the event of a ceasefire.” According to the expert, the Zionist regime fears that halting hostilities before achieving its military goals would signify a victory for the Resistance in global and regional public opinion. Thus, famine is used to maintain political and military superiority.
He described the policy as part of a long-term strategy to depopulate Gaza, citing the role of extremist factions in the Zionist regime’s government. These factions, which had previously floated ideas about altering Gaza’s demographics, view famine as a means to create unbearable conditions for the Palestinians, forcing them to migrate or flee. However, Qannadbashi emphasized that the resilience of Gaza’s people, rooted in their national and religious identity, has so far thwarted this goal. Regional support for Palestine, particularly from the Resistance axis, has also strengthened Gaza’s resolve and hindered the strategy’s success.
The Role of the International Community: Passivity or Ineffectiveness?
Qannadbashi highlighted the dual role of the international community. The UN and affiliated agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), have addressed the famine crisis in Gaza through reports like the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). These reports, warning of a critical famine risk for over two million people, reveal the depth of the catastrophe that has intensified since October 2024. However, key decision-makers in the Security Council, particularly the United States, have blocked effective action against the regime due to their strategic support. He stated that the U.S., as Israel’s primary ally, refrains from pressuring the regime, which acts as its proxy, because weakening it would reduce Washington’s influence in West Asia.
Despite these obstacles, the analyst believes public pressure is shifting dynamics, especially in European countries. Student movements, independent media, and public protests have put Western governments on the defensive before their elites and citizens. Recently, five European countries have placed the recognition of Palestine on their agendas, reflecting public opinion’s impact on policymaking. Qannadbashi stressed that the scale of the Zionist regime’s crimes has sparked unprecedented global protests, placing the regime under political and temporal pressure. However, he warned that these efforts have yet to reach a level compelling the regime’s officials, particularly Netanyahu, to halt their policies.
Arab Countries’ Silence and Regional Consequences
Regarding the role of Arab governments, Qannadbashi pointed to the passivity of some regional states. Despite their Arab identity and internal pressures, these countries have remained silent on Israel’s crimes and even expanded economic and political cooperation with the regime’s allies. This passivity has weakened the Arab front in supporting Palestine and emboldened Israel. However, some Arab states, like Jordan, have openly opposed Israeli actions, potentially paving the way for broader diplomatic initiatives. According to Qannadbashi, this divergence in positions reflects a split in the Arab front, benefiting the Zionist regime.
Palestinian Counterstrategies and Future Prospects
Qannadbashi linked the Zionist regime’s deliberate famine policy in Gaza to multiple factors. By leveraging hunger, the regime seeks to break Hamas’s resistance and force it to accept its terms. However, due to the unified nature of the Resistance and broad public support, this goal appears unattainable. He emphasized that even if short-term objectives, such as prisoner releases, are achieved, Israel cannot accomplish its ultimate aim of eliminating Hamas. The resilience of the Gaza people, rooted in their religious and national identity, has left the regime facing an insoluble challenge.
Qannadbashi cited the Security Council’s inefficacy due to U.S. influence on the role of international institutions. However, he noted that repeated condemnations at the UN General Assembly and legal actions, such as the International Criminal Court’s recognition of regime officials as war criminals, have created significant pressure. While these measures have not yet altered Israel’s behavior, they have imposed constraints. He stressed that Israel cannot indefinitely resist global pressure, given hidden concerns among Western and Arab states about the long-term consequences of the crisis.
Qannadbashi also addressed Donald Trump’s role in this equation. While Israel benefits from U.S. support, escalating global pressure may diminish this backing. Aware of these limitations, Israel is racing to achieve its goals before potential shifts in U.S. policy. However, the analyst emphasized that Gaza’s resilience and regional support for Palestine render any lasting victory for Israel impossible. He tied Gaza’s future to the Resistance’s ability to endure pressure and growing global solidarity with Palestine, which could gradually shift dynamics in the region’s favor. Qannadbashi believes strengthening regional diplomacy and leveraging international legal mechanisms, such as increased complaints to the International Court of Justice, could effectively spotlight Palestinian rights violations.
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