US rejects Israeli suggestions of removing Palestinians from Gaza

Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least three Palestinians and injuries to several others, despite a ceasefire. On Thursday, an Israeli drone strike in western Gaza City killed one person and injured others. Separately, Israeli forces opened fire in Beit Lahia, killing two Palestinians, including a 13-year-old child. The Israeli military stated its forces eliminated two individuals who crossed a buffer zone in northern Gaza. These attacks occur as Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has presented a plan for the removal of approximately two million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip over seven years.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has presented a plan for the forced expulsion of all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, aiming to send them abroad. The proposal, outlined in a 20-page document titled "National Work Plan for Voluntary Emigration from the Gaza Strip," suggests removing 250,000 Palestinians in the first year and the remaining 2 million over the subsequent six years. Ben-Gvir claims the plan is "realistic" and that other countries are "ready" to accept Gazans, though he did not name them. This proposal comes amid close-fought Israeli elections and follows similar sentiments from Defense Minister Israel Katz, who also spoke of displacing Palestinians. The forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory is considered a war crime under international law.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that depopulating the Gaza Strip remains the "only solution" for the territory, according to a report from a conference. He suggested that a plan for this, which rights advocates describe as ethnic cleansing, was only frozen by former US President Donald Trump. Katz indicated that Israel continues to pursue this objective, referring to the removal of Palestinians as "migration." Palestinian rights advocates have argued for years that Israel's actions in Gaza aim for ethnic cleansing. While a previous ceasefire agreement asserted Palestinians' right to remain in Gaza and offered opportunities for rebuilding, the article states Israel has since restricted aid and prevented reconstruction while conducting attacks.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that Israel has plans prepared for the removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. He indicated that the government is organized and ready to facilitate this "migration" by any means necessary, including sea and air. However, Katz explained that Israel is awaiting the United States to determine potential destinations for these displaced individuals, asserting that there is "no real solution for Gaza in the end without this migration." The article also references a past statement by former US President Donald Trump, who had called for Palestinians to leave Gaza and for the territory to be developed into a luxury resort, an idea he later retracted due to international opposition.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the country is seeking Donald Trump's support for plans to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Katz believes U.S. backing could influence regional opinion in favor of this forced resettlement, which he argues is necessary for a solution in Gaza. He indicated that the Israeli government is prepared for such an expulsion by various means and that Trump has "frozen" but not canceled discussions on the idea. The remarks were made during a conference hosted by Israeli news outlets. The article also notes that some Israeli officials have made inflammatory statements regarding Palestinian prisoners, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated Israel will remain on its current line in Gaza until Hamas is disarmed.