Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz stated on Friday that Israel has no plans to deport Palestinians from Gaza.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Katz emphasized that Israel does not intend to govern Gaza following the end of its war against the ruling Palestinian group Hamas. Katz highlighted coordination with Egypt regarding Palestinian refugees and the importance of not harming Egyptian interests.
The minister also discussed the necessity of removing Hezbollah from southern Lebanon’s borders if diplomatic efforts to ease tensions fail, urging global pressure on Iran and Hezbollah to comply with UN Resolution 1701.
Egypt has consistently expressed its firm stance on supporting the Palestinian cause and rejecting any attempts at Palestinian displacement, viewing such actions as an obliteration of the Palestinian issue. The Israeli military has been conducting operations against Gaza since October 7, following Hamas’s announcement of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” which involved launching thousands of rockets into Israel and breaching Israeli settlements near Gaza, resulting in significant casualties and captives on both sides.
The global response to the displacement of Palestinians, particularly in East Jerusalem, has been one of concern and calls for action. The UN Human Rights Office has urged the international community to take immediate steps to halt Israel’s forced evictions and displacement of Palestinians, which are seen as part of Israel’s broader annexation efforts. The displacement is characterized by the eviction of Palestinians from their homes and the dispossession of their land and properties, under laws perceived as discriminatory and designed to consolidate Jewish ownership in Jerusalem. This situation has led to significant international alarm, with many viewing it as a continuation of the historical “Nakba” or catastrophe that began in 1948 when 700,000 Palestinians were displaced following the creation of Israel.
The current conflict has only intensified these concerns, with Israel’s military actions in Gaza since October 7 prompting widespread displacement. Reports indicate that up to 85% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with many forced towards the southern city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border, under dire humanitarian conditions. The scale of the conflict and the humanitarian disaster deepening for Palestinians have raised fears among Arab states and the UN of potential mass displacement, akin to the events of 1948. Despite these concerns, many Palestinians in Gaza have expressed a desire to stay, fearing another permanent displacement.
The International Rescue Committee has highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that the violence has killed over 26,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly 80% of the population. The situation is described as the deadliest for civilians globally, with the health care system on the verge of collapse, and nearly the entire population at risk of famine due to restricted access to food, water, and medical care