The Israeli government has approved an agency for the voluntary removal of Gazans, leading to condemnation from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Both countries argue it violates international law and constitutes forced displacement. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, prompting alternative proposals for Gaza’s governance and reconstruction.
The Israeli government has approved the creation of an agency designed to facilitate the voluntary removal of residents from Gaza, inciting significant regional backlash. This initiative, proposed by the Israeli Defense Ministry, was announced over the past weekend but has not yet been officially operationalized.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, “We are working by all means to implement the vision of the U.S. president, and we will allow any Gaza resident who wishes to voluntarily move to a third country to do so.” This statement follows a contentious push by President Donald Trump in February advocating for the forced displacement of Palestinians, which has drawn opposition from the United Nations and traditional U.S. allies like France and Germany, labeling it a breach of international law.
Despite Trump’s threats to withdraw aid from Egypt and Jordan should they refuse to accept Gaza’s displaced residents, both nations have maintained their firm opposition to the proposal. Earlier this month, the Arab Summit endorsed a reconstruction plan for Gaza that emphasizes maintaining the current population and governance, which would involve a transitional committee until the Palestinian Authority re-establishes control.
Egypt denounced the establishment of the displacement agency and the recognition of new settlements in the West Bank, condemning this as contrary to international humanitarian law. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs articulated that any displacement occurring under such oppressive conditions constitutes forced relocation: “…leaving while under fire… is considered forced displacement, a crime and violation of international law.”
Saudi Arabia echoed these sentiments, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating its strong opposition to Israel’s actions. They denounced the agency focusing on displacing Palestinians from Gaza and the advancing of illegal settlements in the West Bank, reinforcing their position against ongoing violations of international law by Israel.
As the situation escalates, the death toll among Palestinians reportedly exceeds 50,000 due to the recent conflict. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reports that last week alone saw at least 792 fatalities and over 1,600 injuries from Israeli airstrikes as a ceasefire ended.
The establishment of the Israeli agency aimed at facilitating the relocation of Gazans has prompted widespread condemnation from neighboring Egypt and Saudi Arabia, asserting that the initiative violates international law and constitutes forced displacement. The ongoing conflict, exacerbated by severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, has resulted in an alarming death toll, raising concerns among international observers and prompting alternative reconstruction proposals.
Original Source: www.deltaplexnews.com
