Jakarta, ThedailyID — Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has publicly outlined a plan to remove around two million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Ben Gvir said on Thursday (03/09) that the plan would take place in several stages. The first stage would involve the departure of around 250,000 Palestinians.
“This is realistic,” Ben Gvir said, as quoted by AFP, Friday (04/09/2026).
Ben Gvir said several countries had expressed willingness to receive Palestinians leaving Gaza. However, he did not identify the countries.
“We must encourage the emigration of Gaza’s residents,” he said. He also claimed that Palestinians would not be forced to leave their homes.
Ben Gvir’s far-right party also plans to demand the creation of a government ministry dedicated to Palestinian emigration. Israel is scheduled to hold legislative elections in October.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said on Wednesday (02/09/2026) that Israel had prepared a plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza if the United States approves it.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has gone further by proposing similar measures for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The issue has also drawn attention from US President Donald Trump. Early in his second term, Trump called for Palestinians to leave Gaza and proposed transforming the territory into a tourism destination.
Trump later backed away from the idea after facing international criticism.
Ben Gvir’s latest comments come amid continued international concern over proposals involving the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the future of the territory’s population.
