Israel Announces Plan for Forced Displacement of Palestinian Population in Gaza, Backed by Trump’s Proposal

In a post on the platform X (formerly Twitter), Katz praised Trump’s “bold” initiative, which proposed a redevelopment of Gaza under U.S. control once hostilities in the region cease. Feb 6, 2025 Photo: Xinhua

February 6, 2025 Hour: 8:21 pm

The former U.S. president also claimed that the United States would lead a “spectacular” reconstruction project in the region without the need to deploy American troops.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has ordered the Israeli Army to prepare a plan to facilitate the forced displacement of a large portion of the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip to other countries, according to a statement issued by his office.
The measure, which critics have described as an attempt at “ethnic cleansing,” aligns with a proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested relocating Gaza’s inhabitants to “safer and more beautiful communities” as part of a reconstruction project in the territory.

Katz stated that the plan would include options for Palestinians to leave through border crossings, as well as by air and sea. Additionally, the Israeli minister claimed that countries that have criticized Israel for its actions in Gaza are “legally obligated” to receive the displaced.

I have instructed the IDF to prepare a plan that will allow any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willing to receive them.

Hamas has used the residents of Gaza as human shields, built its terror infrastructure in the heart of the civilian population,…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) February 6, 2025

Specifically, he mentioned Spain, Ireland, and Norway, accusing them of “hypocrisy” if they refuse to host Palestinians, and highlighted that Canada, with its regulated immigration program, had already expressed interest in accepting Gaza residents last year.

In a post on the platform X (formerly Twitter), Katz praised Trump’s “bold” initiative, which proposed a redevelopment of Gaza under U.S. control once hostilities in the region cease.

Trump, for his part, reiterated his intention to take control of the Palestinian enclave in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he assured that Gaza’s population would be relocated to “much safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes.” The former U.S. president also claimed that the United States would lead a “spectacular” reconstruction project in the region without the need to deploy American troops.

During a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump stated that his country should take control of Gaza to facilitate the redevelopment of the territory, devastated by years of conflict and the recent military escalation. Netanyahu did not directly address the forced displacement plan but supported the idea of a U.S.-led reconstruction.

The proposal has sparked international controversy, with critics calling it a violation of international law and an attempt to alter the region’s demographics.
Human rights organizations have warned that the forced displacement of civilian populations constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

As Israel moves forward with its plan and Trump promotes his vision of reconstruction, the international community is closely monitoring the development of a strategy that could have profound implications for the future of Gaza and its inhabitants.