Israel Plans to Relocate Hundreds of Thousands of Palestinians to Closed Gaza Strip Border Zone

Israel's Defense Minister has outlined plans to relocate hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to a closed zone along the Gaza Strip border with Egypt. The "humanitarian city" in Rafah would be built on top of the ruins of the city, with Palestinians unable to leave once they enter the zone. Critics say this plan amounts to forcible displacement in violation of international law, as Gaza has been made largely uninhabitable due to Israel's offensive and blockade. The US President has expressed support for the mass transfer of Palestinians out of Gaza.

Jerusalem, July 2, 2025 — Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has outlined plans to relocate hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to a closed zone along the Gaza Strip border with Egypt. The proposed "humanitarian city" in Rafah would be constructed on the ruins of the city, with Palestinians unable to leave once they enter the zone.

Katz, in a briefing to reporters on Monday, stated that the zone would initially house approximately 600,000 displaced Palestinians from the Al-Mawasi area along the coast of southern Gaza. The plan involves screening Palestinians to ensure they are not members of Hamas, with the intention of eventually transferring the entire population of Gaza, numbering over 2 million, into the zone [1].

The defense minister emphasized that the zone would be run by international bodies, not the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which would secure the perimeter from a distance. This approach mirrors the aid distribution mechanism of the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) [1].

However, the plan has drawn significant criticism. Palestinian rights groups, such as Gisha, argue that the plan amounts to forcible displacement in violation of international law, as Gaza has been rendered largely uninhabitable due to Israel's offensive and blockade [2]. The United Nations and human rights organizations have expressed concerns about the safety and well-being of the Palestinian population in such a confined space.

International responses have been mixed. The UK's Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has stated that the UK opposes the new plan, citing concerns about the proximity to a ceasefire [1]. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have both rejected the forced relocation of Palestinians, asserting that such actions are unacceptable [1].

The US President, Donald Trump, has expressed support for the mass transfer of Palestinians out of Gaza, although no country has publicly expressed willingness to take part in the emigration plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also voiced support for the plan, stating that they are working closely with the US to find countries willing to accept Palestinian emigrants [1].

The IDF has stated that it will present several options to the political echelon, with the military acting according to the directives of the political echelon. The military has not yet committed to the plan [1].

The proposed "humanitarian city" in Rafah raises serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the potential for further displacement and suffering. As negotiations continue, the international community will closely monitor the situation and the impact of the proposed plan on the Palestinian population.

References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/middleeast/israel-rafah-ruins-city-gaza-intl-latam
[2] https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-displacement-aid-788199fb4b6fec90aa5f8db68111630d