Israel minister tells army to plan for Palestinians to leave Gaza

The Israeli Defense Minister has instructed the military to develop a plan aimed at "allowing any residents who wish to leave Gaza to do so," aligning with former U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for the U.S. to take over the region and resettle its 2.1 million Palestinians elsewhere. This move has sparked widespread international attention and debate, raising concerns about its implications.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated that Gazans should enjoy "freedom of movement and migration," and argued that countries criticizing Israel's war with Hamas have an "obligation" to accept them. Concurrently, Trump claimed that after the "fighting is over," Gaza would be "handed over" to the U.S. by Israel. These statements have further intensified regional tensions, adding complexity to the already volatile situation.

However, the Palestinian Presidential Office has reiterated its rejection of the plan, stating that it would violate international law and insisting that "Palestine... is not for sale." The Palestinian side strongly opposes any attempts to alter the demographic structure or sovereignty of the Gaza Strip, steadfastly maintaining its territorial integrity and national rights.

Following the announcement of the plan by the Israeli Defense Minister, Hamas official Basem Naim accused Katz of attempting to cover up the failure of "a country that has failed to achieve any of its goals in the Gaza war," and stated that Palestinians will refuse to leave. A spokesperson for the Palestinian Presidential Office also asserted that "Palestine, with its land, history, and holy sites, is not for sale," underscoring their unwavering stance.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh also stated that Palestinians "will not give up an inch of their land," whether in Gaza or the occupied West Bank. "The Palestinian people and their leadership will not allow the disasters of 1948 and 1967 to be repeated, and will thwart any plans aimed at liquidating their just cause through investment projects that are neither in Palestine nor on its land." He emphasized the determination of the Palestinian people to uphold their rights and resist displacement.