Israeli security officials propose Gaza displacement plan beginning in October: Report

JERUSALEM/ANKARA

Israel's security establishment has presented the government with a plan to displace Palestinian residents of Gaza beginning next month, Israeli Channel 12 reported on Friday.

The proposed plan is expected to be a major discussion point during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Israel next week.

According to the broadcaster, during his visit, Rubio will meet with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the "voluntary relocation" from Gaza.

Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel early next week, where he will also attend the inauguration of a tunnel in East Jerusalem's Silwan neighborhood.

Channel 12 claimed that the “relocation plan is an initiative of US President Donald Trump, which received public support from Netanyahu.”

However, Israeli officials remain skeptical about its feasibility, it added.

The plan, submitted by the security establishment on Thursday, would “allow Gaza residents to leave the Strip by air and sea starting in October.”

Discussions with several countries about accepting Palestinian evacuees are “ongoing, but no formal agreement has been reached,” the channel said.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key supporter of the plan, said in a government meeting: “There is no point in investing large amounts of money if Gaza residents return within a year. If there is no significant change in Gaza, this is unnecessary.”

Netanyahu replied that Israel would not invest large sums but would “make progress with countries willing to accommodate them.”

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the displacement “the most important issue we are dealing with now” and urged immediate action to implement it.

The channel did not specify the date of the discussion between ministers and Netanyahu.

Channel 12 added that, practically, the lack of agreements with other countries and Israel’s unwillingness to fund the plan itself significantly “reduces its chances of implementation.”

Israel has long framed Gaza displacement as “voluntary,” while critics argue the ongoing blockade, destruction of infrastructure, and repeated attacks have created a coercive environment forcing Palestinians to leave.

The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have repeatedly condemned such plans, warning of forced displacement.

Egypt has also expressed opposition, denying Israeli claims that it has closed the Rafah crossing, which remains open on the Egyptian side but blocked by Israel on the Palestinian side.

The Israeli army has continued a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 64,700 Palestinians since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.