Ben Gvir Lays Out Plan for Gazans to Leave

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has outlined a plan for Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip for other countries. He expects 250,000 people to depart in the first year, followed by the rest of Gaza’s roughly two million residents over the next six years.

Ben Gvir described the proposal as voluntary emigration and claimed that some countries were ready to accept Palestinians from Gaza, though he did not name them. His Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party plans to demand the creation of a ministry responsible for emigration during negotiations to form the next government after the 27 October election.

Defense Minister Israel Katz has backed a similar approach, saying Israel has plans ready to remove Palestinians from Gaza if the United States gives its approval.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed extending such a measure to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Forced displacement of civilians from occupied territory is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

(AFP, TASR, sab)