Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has instructed the military to begin preparations for a restricted “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza that would initially house over 600,000 displaced Palestinians, with the ultimate goal of relocating the entire population of Gaza into the zone, Israeli media reported Monday.
According to Defense Minister Israel Katz, the proposed zone will be built on the ruins of Rafah and will be located in the already overcrowded Al-Mawasi coastal area. Palestinians entering the area will be screened for ties to Hamas and will not be allowed to leave once admitted. Katz also indicated that the long-term vision includes facilitating the emigration of Palestinians from Gaza to other countries—a plan first floated by former U.S. President Donald Trump and supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu, speaking alongside Trump at a White House dinner on Monday, claimed that several countries are being considered for the resettlement of Palestinians, though none have publicly agreed to participate.
Katz told reporters that the “humanitarian city” would be administered by international organizations rather than the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with the IDF providing security from outside the zone. However, it remains unclear which international bodies would agree to manage the area, given widespread refusal to participate in the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a similar aid mechanism criticized for lack of neutrality and safety. Since GHF began operating a month ago, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access its aid distribution points, according to the UN and Gaza health officials.
International opposition to the new plan has been swift. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Tuesday the UK “opposes the plan just as we opposed GHF,” warning that the proposal undermines ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, both key players in post-war Gaza diplomacy, also rejected the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Hamas condemned the plan as an act of ethnic cleansing. “Our people have stood firm in the face of killing, hunger, and bombardment, rejecting any future dictated from intelligence headquarters or political bargaining tables,” a statement from the group read.
Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard said Katz’s plan amounts to “forcible transfer and deportation,” both of which qualify as war crimes under international law. “People will flee from Gaza because Israel is mounting coercive measures that make life impossible. That’s not voluntary migration,” he said.
The IDF said it would present several relocation options to the political leadership and act based on their directives. Katz’s office has yet to respond to requests for clarification.
Meanwhile, Gaza remains in humanitarian crisis as over 2 million Palestinians face continued displacement, dwindling aid, and renewed threats of permanent resettlement.
Written By Rodney Mbua
