World News
Israel prepared to relocate Gaza population pending US approval, Defence Minister says
Israel Katz stated that plans to move Gazans remain active despite previous ceasefire terms prohibiting forced displacement.
The short version
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated Israel is prepared to transport Palestinians out of Gaza by air and sea if the United States authorizes the move and secures host destinations.
- Katz asserted that a previously floated relocation plan was only frozen, not cancelled, and claimed approval could follow alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas.
- The International Criminal Court considers the forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory a war crime, and earlier proposals faced severe pushback from Egypt and Palestinians.
- The U.S. government has not confirmed whether it is actively entertaining the proposal, referring inquiries to the State Department.
Key facts
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told a conference that Israel is organized and ready to remove Palestinians from Gaza by sea, air, and other means once the U.S. approves and finds destination countries.[France 24]
- Katz claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump only froze discussions on relocating Gaza's population rather than cancelling the proposal.[France 24]
- Under the Geneva Conventions, the forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory is recognized as a war crime.[France 24]
- According to official Israeli records, the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack killed 1,221 people.[France 24]
- The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that 73,470 people have died in Gaza as a result of Israeli military actions.[France 24]
What remains uncertain
- It is unverified whether the U.S. administration is actively considering authorizing or finding destination countries for the displacement of Gaza's population.[France 24]
- Katz claimed without providing evidence or sources that 80 percent of Gaza residents desire to leave but are blocked by Hamas.[France 24]