JERUSALEM: Two Israeli ministers have proposed the mass removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, reviving a controversial idea repeatedly promoted by far-right politicians as Israel approaches a general election.
The proposals have renewed Palestinian fears that Israel could seek to forcibly displace Gaza’s population, despite ongoing US-led diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict and establishing a lasting ceasefire.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir unveiled a seven-year plan on Thursday calling for what he described as the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians from Gaza. He also said he would seek the establishment of a dedicated ministry for emigration in Israel’s next government.
Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party said potential destinations for Palestinians included Turkey, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Palestinian officials rejected the proposal. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of Gaza’s government media office, said Palestinians were deeply attached to their homeland and would not be intimidated by such threats.
Israel is scheduled to hold a general election on October 27, the first national vote since the Israeli military campaign that began on October 7, 2023, devastated large parts of Gaza. The territory is home to more than two million Palestinians.
A US-backed ceasefire reached in October 2025 halted large-scale fighting, but Israeli strikes have continued, while efforts to establish a permanent political settlement have made limited progress.
Ben-Gvir’s remarks came shortly after Defence Minister Israel Katz, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, said there could be “no real solution for Gaza” without what he called the “migration” of Palestinians.
Katz said Israel was prepared to facilitate their departure “by sea, by air, by every way possible,” while acknowledging that Egypt was unwilling to receive them.
Netanyahu’s office did not immediately comment on the statements.
Recent opinion polls indicate that Netanyahu could face a serious challenge in the upcoming election. His security credentials have remained under scrutiny following the October 2023 Hamas attack, although political analysts caution that he remains a formidable contender.
