Israel Katz instructs army to prepare Gaza emigration plan

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, inspired by US President Donald Trump’s vision for the takeover of Gaza, has instructed the Israeli army to prepare a plan to allow Gazans to leave the territory voluntarily. Katz’s office said in a statement that the minister welcomed Trump’s “bold plan,” which could allow Gaza’s large population to emigrate to different parts of the world.

Katz claimed that Hamas was using Gaza’s residents as human shields, building terror infrastructure inside the civilian population, and currently holding them hostage, using humanitarian aid to extort money from them and prevent them from leaving the territory. The minister said that he had instructed the army to draw up a plan to enable Gazans to emigrate to any country ready to receive them. Katz specifically mentioned Spain, Ireland, and Norway as possible destinations, arguing that these countries are leveling “baseless accusations” against Israel’s war against Hamas. If these countries do not accept Palestinians, he argued, “their hypocrisy will be exposed.”

Katz also noted that Canada had previously expressed a willingness to accept Gazan civilians and had an “organized migration program.”

According to the plan, Gazans will be allowed to leave through border crossings, and “special arrangements” will be made for those wishing to leave by sea and air.

“Gaza residents should have the same freedom to emigrate as anywhere else in the world,” Katz said, adding that Trump’s plan could also support long-term projects to rebuild a disarmed Gaza that would not pose a threat in a post-Hamas era.