Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz has announced that he had ordered the army to formulate a plan that would allow any Gaza resident who wishes “to leave to do so, to any country willing to accept them.”
He said that the plan will include exit options through land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air.
He also welcomed President Trump’s “bold” plan, saying that Gaza residents should be allowed the “freedom to leave and emigrate, as is the norm around the world.”
When asked who will take in the Palestinians, Katz remarked that it should be countries who have opposed Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
“Countries like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have levelled accusations and false claims against Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories.
“Their hypocrisy will be exposed if they refuse to do so. There are countries like Canada, which has a structured immigration program, that have previously expressed a willingness to accept Gaza residents.”
Israel Katz
Last year, Ireland, Norway and Spain recognised Palestine as an independent state, prompting Israeli anger.
Katz also claimed that the voluntary departure of Palestinians would “enable the advancement of reconstruction plans in a demilitarized and threat-free Gaza.”
Additionally, Katz accused Hamas of preventing people from leaving Gaza and using them as human shields.
Katz’s remarks came at a time where Donald Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal has been met with wide condemnations from the Palestinians, Arab countries and many other nations across the world, including Canada, France, Germany, and the UK.
Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians in Gaza first came after a ceasefire agreement took effect in the enclave on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 47,500 Palestinians and left the enclave in ruins.
Since January 25, 2025, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should be taken in by regional Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan, an idea rejected by both the Arab states and Palestinian leaders.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich voiced support for Katz’s plan.
He was quoted by an Israeli newspaper as saying that there is no other realistic solution that will ensure peace and security for Israel and personal wellbeing for the residents of Gaza.
“I congratulate the Defence Minister on his decision to instruct the [army] to prepare to fulfil our role in the migration plan to allow the departure of Gazans from Gaza to receiving countries.”
Bezalel Smotrich
According to the newspaper, ex-Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Otzma Yehudit party – also known as the Jewish Power Party, said that Katz’s preparations for the voluntary departure of Gaza residents are an “important step, which recognises that the real solution for Gaza is no longer dreams of ‘reconstruction’ and a return to the previous situation, but a fundamental change in reality.”
He called on the government “to move forward with determination, remove every bureaucratic obstacle, and ensure that this option becomes a reality as soon as possible.”
Spain, Ireland Reject Katz’s Statement
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares rejected the suggestion by Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz that Spain should accept displaced Palestinians from Gaza.
Albares said in an interview with a Spanish radio station, “Gazans’ land is Gaza and Gaza must be part of the future Palestinian state.”
Ireland’s Foreign Ministry also rejected Katz’s suggestion.
The ministry said in an emailed statement to a news agency, “The objective must be a massive scale-up of aid into Gaza, return of basic services and a clear framework under which those displaced can return.” It added, “Any comments to the contrary are unhelpful and a source of distraction.”
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