Ben Gvir Reveals Plan for Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza
Amidst the ongoing Israeli attacks, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvar revealed on Thursday a plan to relocate approximately two million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip within seven years. A similar plan was presented by the Israeli Defence Minister.
According to his office, Ben-Gvir’s plan aims to establish a special ministry and secure agreements with various countries to accommodate the residents of Gaza. The initiative targets the departure of 250,000 people in the first year, approximately 1.1 million people within three years, and around 1.9 million people within seven years, stated the right-wing minister.
Ben-Gvir stated that the plan is “realistic” and aims to “encourage the emigration of Gaza’s population” as a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Previously, Itamar Ben-Gvir uploaded a video recording on the X platform from a women’s prison, where he declared himself responsible for the dire conditions in the facility. When a prisoner complained about the lack of medical care, bathing facilities, or clean clothing, Ben-Gvir remarked: “The days of comfortable prison facilities are over. This is the current situation, and I am fully responsible for everything. I am satisfied with these conditions.”
Israel’s Defence Minister also stated that his country is seeking support from Donald Trump to approve the plan for the expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. This move is widely condemned as an action that could potentially constitute a war crime.
Israel Katz stated that ultimately “there is no real solution for Gaza without this migration” during a conference organised by the Israeli news site Ynet and the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. He stated that the Israeli government is “organised and ready to expel them via sea, air, or any possible means.”
Trump had previously discussed the idea of the US taking over the Gaza Strip in early 2025, which would involve the displacement of Palestinians from the territory, but he has since withdrawn from the idea. The 20-point peace plan drafted by the White House last year did not include provisions for the deportation of Palestinians—an act that would be widely viewed as ethnic cleansing.
However, on Wednesday, Katz expressed his belief that US support could shift regional opinion to support the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. He stated that Trump’s blessing is crucial to convincing neighbouring countries to be willing to accept Palestinian refugees.
“Every country willing to host them wants American support,” he said. “At this moment, Trump has not cancelled this. He has only suspended it.”
The White House did not immediately respond to whether Trump is still pursuing discussions regarding Israel’s proposal to forcibly empty the Gaza Strip of its population. Katz specifically highlighted Egypt, which he claims has been lobbying Washington to oppose the forced displacement of Palestinians.
“It has not been cancelled,” he said. “Discussions are ongoing, including right now, and in my view, ultimately there is no other solution that is more beneficial to all parties.”
These statements emerge amidst a fierce election season in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies are attempting to win voter sympathy by calling for more aggressive actions against Palestinians, some of which are highly provocative and cruel.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu visited an Israeli military post located near the border of the Gaza Strip. Israel stated it would not retreat from this line until Hamas disarms, despite calls for a gradual troop withdrawal to support the recently reached ceasefire agreement with the group.
“We control this territory and will remain at this border,” Netanyahu said. “We are making every effort to achieve our goals, which are to disarm Hamas and demilitarise Gaza. Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel.”