Israeli Defence Minister Proposes Displacement Plan for Gaza Population

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced intentions to move the entire population of Gaza into a designated camp as the conflict escalates, raising severe concerns over humanitarian violations and potential ethnic cleansing.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has directed military preparations to relocate all Palestinians in Gaza to a new camp in the south, specifically in Rafah. Reported by Israeli media, Katz aims to house approximately 600,000 people initially, eventually expanding to accommodate the entire 2.1 million residents of Gaza. The proposal includes stringent security protocols to filter out Hamas operatives, with conditions dictating that relocated individuals would be barred from leaving the camp.

Critics, including human rights lawyers, have condemned the move, labeling it an "operational plan for a crime against humanity." Michael Sfard characterized the initiative as a population transfer that violates international laws against the forced relocation of civilians, akin to ethnic cleansing.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, while meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, discussed potential post-war scenarios for Gaza, suggesting the U.S. could lead resettlement efforts. Trump expressed optimism about finding countries willing to accommodate displaced Palestinians, emphasizing "free choice" for those wishing to leave Gaza.

In March, an alternative reconstruction plan proposed by Arab states, which sought to retain the Palestinian population in place, received widespread support. It highlights the broad consensus against any form of displacement, reinforcing the notion that the current proposals from the U.S. and Israel fail to recognize the realities faced in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza remains dire with unprecedented casualties since the escalation of violence that began with a cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. Reports indicate over 57,500 deaths and widespread destruction of infrastructure, leaving a significant portion of the population displaced and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. As discussions on ceasefire continue, fears of further displacement resonate deeply within the Palestinian community, echoing the historical trauma of the Nakba.