Israel plans special unit to displace Gaza residents
Palestinians walk past damaged and destroyed buildings in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on February 17, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Israel’s Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has decided to establish a special administrative unit aimed at facilitating the “voluntary relocation” of Palestinians from Gaza, Israeli media reported on Monday.
According to Yediot Ahronot, the newly planned unit will include representatives from Israel’s security establishment and other government ministries.
The initiative is intended to assist any Gazans who reportedly wish to emigrate to third countries by providing exit arrangements via land, sea, and air routes. It is expected that Israel will forcibly expel Gazans from their lands and add a new layer to its ethnic cleansing in the region.
Israeli initiative for Gaza relocation
The report states that the plan was discussed at a high-level meeting led by Israeli Defense Minister Katz, with officials from the Israeli security apparatus in attendance. Among them were senior figures from the Ministry of Defense and representatives overseeing humanitarian and civil efforts in Gaza.
During the meeting, an initial framework for the plan was presented by Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Maj. Gen. Rassan Alian.
The framework reportedly outlines extensive logistical support for Palestinians who voluntarily seek relocation, including special exit procedures and assistance in reaching third-party nations willing to accept them.
US and Israeli leaders discuss Gaza’s future
The development comes after U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a Feb. 4 press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House that the U.S. is considering taking control of Gaza.
Trump described Gaza as a “complete disaster zone” and suggested that it would be preferable for Palestinians to move to newly built settlements in neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. He further asserted that Palestinians have “no other option” but to leave Gaza.
Regional and international reactions
While Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have expressed support for Trump’s vision of a post-war Gaza without Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, regional players such as Egypt and Jordan have opposed any mass displacement of Gazans.
Recently in an exclusive interview with Indonesian media outlet Narasi during his visit to Indonesia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning Gaza, describing it as a “grave threat to global peace.”
“No one can take Gaza from the Palestinians,” said Erdogan asserting Türkiye’s firm stance against the plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza.
International condemnation of Trump’s proposal has continued to mount. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the plan, asserting that “Gaza is home to two million people. You cannot simply tell them to leave.”
Speaking to CNN, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to Israel’s security but maintained that forced displacement would violate international law.
Similarly, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun rejected the proposal, emphasizing that “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians and is an integral part of the Palestinian territory.” China’s stance aligns with other international voices, including the United Nations, which has warned against actions that could amount to ethnic cleansing.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has indicated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently discussed with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the importance of establishing a long-term arrangement for Gaza that contributes to regional stability.
