Israel continues to shift its war goals in the Gaza Strip. A day after the IDF chief stated that population transfer and concentration of Gazans is not a goal of the military offensive, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested Ghettoization of Palestinians.
Kartz has ordered the IDF to create a so-called "humanitarian city" in the ruins of Rafah. This planned city would concentrate the entire population, 2 million Gazans, into a single, small area.
The first phase of the plan is to relocate around 600,000 Palestinians, who have been living in the Mawasi area, to the “humanitarian city” emerges amid an anticipated 60-day ceasefire in the war-torn enclave. Katz stated that if conditions are feasible, construction of the city will begin during the truce with Hamas.
A report in The Guardian, citing legal experts and academics, described the Israeli plan as a blueprint for crimes against humanity.
To enter the city, Palestinians would be required to undergo "security screening," and, according to Katz, civilians would not be allowed to leave once inside.
Reports suggest that the IDF would secure the perimeter of the humanitarian city but would not be involved in distributing aid or managing daily operations. Israel is currently seeking international partners to manage the zone.
The plan was revealed as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the United States.
Notably, earlier this year, former US President Donald Trump had floated the controversial "Gaza Riviera" plan, which promoted the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
While Trump was asked if he still seeks the relocation of Palestinians for the Gaza Strip, Trump dodged the question and asked Israeli Prime Minister to answer the reporter.
Netanyahu said, "I think President Trump had a brilliant vision. It's called free choice. You know, if people want to stay, they can stay. But if they want to leave, they should be able to leave. It shouldn't be a, you know, prison should be an open place and give people free choice."
Reportedly, Israel has approached several countries to take in Palestinians, but no state has agreed to the plan. Israel is now planning to manage the population under Operation "Gideon's Chariots", which was presented in May this year.
A Reuters report revealed that the plan for establishing “humanitarian transit areas” to house Palestinians inside and possibly outside Gaza had previously been presented to the Trump administration and discussed at the White House.
According to Reuters, the Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) proposed the establishment of camps. However, the group has denied this, saying they haven’t suggested any such plan.
Many Holocaust experts and historians have strongly criticized the Israeli proposal, warning it reflects ethnic cleansing.
Comparing the “humanitarian transit areas” to concentration camps, experts argue that Israel is attempting to confine Palestinians into one location before expelling them from Palestine.
Prominent Israeli politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have openly supported establishing new Israeli settlements in Gaza.
Far-right political leaders have also called for more severe military actions and a total embargo on aid to pressure the population into leaving Gaza.
Netanyahu in press briefing in the White House said, "We're working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realize what they always say, that they want to give the Palestinians a better future. And those who, and I think we're getting close to finding several countries. And I think this will give, again, the freedom to choose. Palestinians should have it. And, I hope that we can secure it close by."
As Netanyahu and the US continue trying to persuade other nations to accept Palestinian refugees, Palestinians have so far shown resilience and endured intense bombing. The question remains, Will the creation of these camps ultimately force the population to abandon their homes?
