Israel signals readiness for Gaza resident relocation plan

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced that Israel is prepared to initiate the relocation of Gaza residents, provided there is consent from the United States. The statement was made during a conference organized by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, as reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM.

Minister Katz argued that migration represents the only viable solution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Citing internal Israeli surveys, he claimed that 80 percent of Gaza's population wishes to leave the region. However, Katz identified the reluctance of other nations to accept Palestinian refugees as the primary obstacle to implementing this plan.

The Israeli official referenced US President Donald Trump, noting that the US administration has previously proposed initiatives regarding the relocation of Gaza residents. He urged other countries to consider accepting Palestinians to facilitate the process. This aligns with broader discussions regarding the future of the territory, which has been a focal point of international diplomatic efforts.

In February 2025, US President Donald Trump proposed the relocation of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, suggesting the territory could be transformed into a luxury resort zone. However, regional powers, including Egypt and Jordan, have consistently rejected proposals to transfer Palestinians to their territories. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has maintained its stance on the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has cautioned that the forced displacement or deportation of populations is strictly prohibited under international law.