Israel's National Security Minister Proposes Plan for Voluntary Emigration of Gaza Residents

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has presented a plan to facilitate the emigration of 1.86 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip over a seven year period. The proposal, introduced as part of the electoral campaign for his Otzma Yehudit party, outlines a phased approach starting with 250,000 people in the first year and reaching the full target by the seventh year. Ben Gvir suggests the creation of a dedicated ministry to coordinate this process, which he describes as voluntary migration rather than forced expulsion. The plan includes an initial investment of 10 billion new shekels, with potential matching funds of up to 50 billion new shekels linked to international participation and payments to receiving countries. Proposed incentives for migrants include absorption packages covering housing, healthcare, education, and employment for the first two years. Ben Gvir stated that the initiative would allow Gaza residents to live away from terrorist organizations and provide Israeli children a life without the threat of rockets and massacres. Other right wing figures have echoed similar sentiments, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating Israel is ready to resettle Palestinians if the United States agrees, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggesting the measure be extended to the West Bank.