Israel's defence minister plans to shift Gaza population to ‘humanitarian city' in Rafah
Defence Minister Israel Katz told reporters on Monday that the camp would house about 600,000 displaced Palestinians, who were forced to evacuate Al-Mawasi area in the southern region of Gaza. And eventually the camp would house the entire 2.1 million population.
Detailing the process, Katz stated that the Palestinians who would enter the camp would go through a scanning to determine they are not a member of Hamas militant group. Katz added that the Palestinians would not be allowed to leave and the entire Gaza population will be held in the zone.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has concluded his second meeting with US President @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/1zhXEACW8e
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 8, 2025
The Israel's defence minister then vowed that he is poised to implement a plan to allow Palestinians to immigrate to other countries from Gaza, a plan which was originally floated by US President Donald Trump.
Israel Prime Minister, who is in the United States, had supported the emigration plan for Gaza citizens to leave for other countries. During a White House dinner with Trump on Monday, Netanyahu said, 'We're working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realize what they always said, that they want to give the Palestinians a better future, and I think we're getting close to finding several countries.'
Katz said that if circumstances allow, then the construction of the proposed camp would begin during a 60-day ceasefire that Israel and Hamas are trying to negotiate.
However, the United Nations has previously warned that deportation or forcible transfer of an occupied territory's civilian population is not allowed under international law. Palestinian authorities or Hamas are yet to comment on the matter.
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