Israel's defense minister has instructed the military to develop a plan to facilitate the departure of any Gaza resident who desires to leave, aligning with President Donald Trump's suggestion for the US to administer the territory and relocate its 2.1 million Palestinian inhabitants. Israel Katz emphasized the importance of granting Gazans freedom of movement and migration, stating that nations critical of Israel's conflict with Hamas should be obligated to provide refuge.
On the other hand, the US Secretary of State clarified that the relocation would be temporary to oversee Gaza's reconstruction, while Trump initially indicated it would be permanent. Palestinian leaders and Arab nations have rejected the proposal, arguing that enforced displacement would contravene international law.
UN Secretary-General emphasized the necessity of preventing any kind of "ethnic cleansing," underscoring Gaza's significance as an integral part of a future Palestinian state.
The Israeli military initiated an operation to dismantle Hamas following an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals. Since then, over 47,550 people have died, and 111,600 have been injured in Gaza, as reported by the territory's health ministry under Hamas' governance.
Frequent displacements have affected the majority of Gaza's population, with nearly 70% of its structures estimated to be damaged or destroyed. The collapse of healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, combined with shortages of essential supplies like food, fuel, medication, and shelter, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region.