Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, says Israel is seeking Donald Trump’s support for a plan to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and believes US backing could persuade neighbouring countries to accept refugees. The proposal has been widely condemned as a potential war crime.
Speaking at a conference hosted by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday, Katz said the government was prepared to remove Palestinians “by sea, by air, by every way possible”. He said Trump had not cancelled the idea but had “frozen” it, indicating that the plan has not been presented as an approved policy.
What Israel’s defence minister said
Katz said American approval was crucial because countries willing to receive Palestinians wanted US backing. He said the proposal was still being discussed, including with regard to Egypt, which he said opposed the forced removal of Gaza’s population. For additional context, see “Poll finds declining US backing for war as Trump approval stays at low”.
The remarks describe a proposed forced resettlement, not a completed transfer or an announced agreement with receiving countries. The status Katz described leaves unclear whether the US administration is actively negotiating the proposal or merely keeping it under consideration.
What we know now
- Katz said there was “no real solution for Gaza in the end without this migration”.
- He identified Egypt as a country that had lobbied Washington against forcibly removing Gaza’s population.
- A 20-point White House peace plan drafted last year did not call for the deportation of Palestinians.
- Trump discussed a US takeover of Gaza in early 2025 that would have involved removing Palestinians, but later pulled back from the idea.
The comments come as Israel maintains its Gaza position
The comments came during Israel’s competitive election season, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rightwing allies have campaigned on more aggressive measures against Palestinians. Far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has also defended harsh prison conditions in a post on X. A related part of this story is covered in “Why Israel’s E1 settlement plan matters before the election”.
Netanyahu visited an Israeli military post near the yellow line in Gaza on Wednesday. He said Israel would remain there until Hamas disarmed and Gaza was demilitarised, despite calls for a phased withdrawal linked to a recent ceasefire. The development of this issue can be followed in “Tom Barrack walks back Golan remark, backing US recognition of Israel’s claim”.
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