A far-right Israeli minister has called for the immediate implementation of a controversial plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza, rejecting the notion of "voluntary" evacuation. Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi described the expulsion of Gazans as a "deportation plan" in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, 18 February, attacking Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for requesting a legal review of the initiative.
Karhi emphasised that any attempts to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza would be carried out by force rather than through voluntary means. During a tense cabinet meeting on Monday, Baharav-Miara urged ministers to consult her for legal advice regarding the controversial proposal, which echoes former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to forcibly relocate Gazans to other countries. Earlier, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his racist rhetoric against Palestinians, expressed hope that the relocation of Gaza’s population would begin in the coming weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that he must "respect President Donald Trump’s plan for the creation of another Gaza." He also asserted that "neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority" would govern the besieged territory after the war. This hardline rhetoric has drawn criticism within Israel, with former military officials warning that such statements could hinder negotiations. Retired General Israel Ziv expressed concern that the government’s aggressive stance might push Hamas to delay the release of prisoners.
The push for expulsion follows recent comments by Trump advocating for the takeover of Gaza and the relocation of its 2.4 million Palestinian residents to neighbouring countries like Jordan and Egypt. The proposal has sparked global backlash, with both Cairo and Amman firmly rejecting the plan. In response, the Trump administration warned Egypt and Jordan of potential consequences if they refused to host the displaced population.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei dismissed the U.S.-Israeli plan as "stupid and futile," asserting that it would fail just as their attempts to eliminate Gaza’s resistance have. "These projects will achieve nothing," he said, highlighting the ongoing resilience of Palestinian resistance fighters. The international community continues to condemn the proposal, viewing it as a violation of Palestinian rights and international law.
