Jerusalem, Feb 6 (EFE).– Israel’s military is preparing a plan to facilitate the mass departure of Gaza’s residents, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, a day after US President Donald Trump proposed expelling the enclave’s entire population and assuming control.
Katz framed the move as a humanitarian effort while pressuring countries critical of Israel’s war in Gaza, such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, to accept Palestinian refugees.
“I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defense Force) 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,” Katz said on X.
“I welcome President Trump’s bold plan. Gaza residents should be allowed the freedom to leave and emigrate, as is the norm around the world.”
Katz said Israel was working on a long-term initiative for the reconstruction of a “demilitarized Gaza, free of threats in the post-Hamas era.”
“Hamas has used the residents of Gaza as human shields, built its terror infrastructure in the heart of the civilian population, and now holds them hostage, extorting money from them through the humanitarian aid system and preventing their departure from Gaza,” the defense minister alleged.
Katz said countries that have opposed Israel’s military operations in Gaza should accept Palestinian refugees as part of the relocation effort.
“Countries like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have leveled accusations and false claims against Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories,” the defense minister said.
“Their hypocrisy will be exposed if they refuse. Meanwhile, countries like Canada, which has a structured immigration program, have previously expressed willingness to take in residents from Gaza.”
In May 2024, Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, formally recognized the Palestinian state, a decision that provoked strong criticism from Israel as it continued its relentless bombing of the Gaza Strip, particularly targeting the southern city of Rafah, where a ground invasion had been launched weeks earlier.
Katz cited Canada’s structured immigration program as an example, noting that it had previously expressed willingness to accept Gazan refugees.
So far, details of the plan remain scarce, but Israel intends to provide Gazans with multiple exit options, including land crossings as well as departures by sea and air under “special agreements.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s remarks in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, calling them “extraordinary” and a “good idea.”
“What’s wrong with letting Gazans who want to leave go? They can leave. They can come back later, but Gaza needs to be rebuilt,” Netanyahu said.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism, including total rejection by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and much of the international community. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned on Wednesday that “any deportation or forced transfer of people from an occupied territory is strictly prohibited.” EFE
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