Reports from Israeli media indicate that the country’s defence minister has directed the military to formulate a strategy for relocating all Palestinians in Gaza to a camp situated in the southern part of the territory.
On Monday, Israel Katz informed reporters of his intention to create a “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah, aiming to initially accommodate approximately 600,000 Palestinians, with plans to support the entire population of 2.1 million in the long term.
The objective, he stated, was to facilitate the entry of individuals post-security screening to confirm they were not affiliated with Hamas, emphasising that these individuals would not be permitted to exit.
He stated that construction would commence if conditions permitted, during a 60-day ceasefire currently being negotiated between Israel and Hamas.
An Israeli human rights lawyer has denounced the action as nothing short of an “operational plan for a crime against humanity.”
“Michael Sfard stated to the Guardian newspaper that the situation revolves around the transfer of population to the southern tip of the Gaza Strip in anticipation of deportation beyond its borders.”
The United Nations has issued prior warnings regarding the deportation or forced transfer of civilian populations in occupied territories, emphasising that such actions are strictly forbidden under international humanitarian law and equate to ethnic cleansing.
The Palestinian Authority or Hamas provided no immediate response.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a meeting at the White House, where he discussed US President Donald Trump’s suggestion for the United States to assume control of post-war Gaza and to relocate its inhabitants permanently.
Netanyahu expressed his belief, stating, “I think President Trump has a brilliant vision.” It is referred to as free choice. Individuals have the option to remain if they choose, yet they should also have the freedom to depart if that is their desire…
“We are collaborating closely with the United States to identify nations that are committed to fulfilling their longstanding promise of providing a better future for the Palestinians.”
Trump stated, “We’ve experienced excellent cooperation from… neighbouring countries, with great collaboration from each and every one of them.” There is an expectation that positive developments are on the horizon.
In March, Arab nations endorsed a $53 billion (£39 billion) Egyptian proposal as an alternative to Trump’s plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, which would enable the Palestinians residing there to remain in their homes.
Their statement emphasised a firm opposition to any displacement of the Palestinian people, labelling the concept as a severe breach of international law, a crime against humanity, and an act of ethnic cleansing.
The Egyptian plan received endorsements from both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas; however, the United States and Israel criticised it for not adequately addressing the realities on the ground in Gaza.
Palestinians express concerns about a potential recurrence of the Nakba, an Arabic term meaning “catastrophe,” which refers to the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands who fled or were forcibly removed from their homes during the conflict that ensued after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
A significant number of refugees found themselves in Gaza, where they and their descendants now constitute three-quarters of the population. According to the United Nations, an additional 900,000 registered refugees are residing in the occupied West Bank, alongside 3.4 million others who are located in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
In a significant military operation, the Israeli forces initiated a campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, following an extraordinary cross-border assault on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 others.
According to the health ministry operated by Hamas, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 57,500 since that time.
A significant portion of Gaza’s population has experienced multiple displacements. It is estimated that over 90% of homes have suffered damage or destruction. The collapse of healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems has been reported, alongside significant shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.
