In an editorial addressing Israel's recent military actions in northern Gaza, Haaretz stated, “If it looks like ethnic cleansing, it probably is.” The editorial criticized the humanitarian impact of the offensive, highlighting severe restrictions on humanitarian aid and the potential for mass displacement of Palestinians in the region. It expressed concern that continued aggression could result in long-lasting moral and legal consequences for Israeli society.

Multiple Israeli state ministries have announced they are suspending ties with the newspaper Haaretz after its publisher referred to Palestinians as "freedom fighters."

This decision was made late Thursday following comments made by Amos Schocken, the owner of Haaretz, in London on Sunday, which sparked controversy within Israeli political circles.

According to Israeli news outlet Israel Hayom, an Interior Ministry directive includes halting cooperation with Haaretz due to Schocken's remarks. The ministry has demanded an apology from Schocken for describing Palestinians in this manner.

In a subsequent press conference, Schocken expressed regret for his comments, saying, “I have reconsidered my words… As for (Palestinian group) Hamas, they are not freedom fighters.”

In his original remarks, Schocken criticized the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that it “doesn't care about imposing a cruel apartheid regime on the Palestinian population." He accused the government of "dismissing the costs to both sides for defending the settlements while fighting the Palestinian freedom fighters, that Israel calls terrorists."

Schocken further described the situation in Gaza as a "second Nakba," referencing the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in 1948, when Israel was founded. He also called for sanctions on Israel, asserting that such measures are necessary to achieve a Palestinian state.

Following Schocken’s remarks, the Israeli Culture Ministry announced it would immediately cease all advertising and collaborations with Haaretz.

The controversy intensified after Haaretz published an editorial on Wednesday suggesting it was unsurprising that serious concerns about Israel's actions in northern Gaza have surfaced. The editorial stated, "If it looks like ethnic cleansing, it probably is.”

The editorial emphasized the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that Israeli forces have besieged northern Gaza for over three weeks, severely restricting humanitarian aid.

It warned that continued military aggression could lead to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and the destruction of entire communities, potentially leaving a lasting moral and legal impact on Israeli society.

The Israeli army has conducted an intense offensive in northern Gaza since October 5, aiming, it claims, to prevent Hamas from regrouping. Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of attempting to occupy the area and forcibly displace its residents.

Since the cross-border offensive by Hamas on October 7, Israeli forces have killed more than 43,000 people and injured over 101,000.

The ongoing Israeli onslaught has led to the near-complete displacement of the population in Gaza, amid a blockade that has caused severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.