Israel’s security cabinet approved the establishment of a body in the Defence Ministry to enable the exit of Gazans who “voluntarily” want to leave the enclave, a move that is expected to cause outrage in the region.
The new administration, which would answer to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, would organise “safe and controlled passage” of Palestinians to “third countries”, as well as conducting security checks and organising transport.
The approval of Mr Katz’s idea is the latest step in Israel’s attempts to get Gazans to leave the enclave, a move many fear is an early effort to ethnically cleanse the area of Palestinians. Israelis in favour of the move have been greatly encouraged by the return to power of US President Donald Trump, who has publicly floated the idea on a number of occasions.
The statement added that the process is “subject to Israeli and international law, and in accordance with the vision of US President Donald Trump”. Arab countries have repeatedly rejected the idea and the latest decision is expected to lead to condemnation.
The head of the new body will be chosen soon, Mr Katz's office said.
Mr Katz has consistently advocated the permanent displacement of Palestinians, a policy that has increased in popularity in Israel since the October 7, 2023, attacks.
The acceptance of the proposal comes as the army increases a recently launched campaign in Gaza, following the collapse of a ceasefire that came into force between Israel and Gaza in January. More than 49,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with hundreds being killed in air strikes throughout the new wave of Israeli hostilities that began on Tuesday.
Mr Katz, who replaced former defence minister Yoav Gallant, who alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has an ICC arrest warrant issued against him, has issued severe warnings to Gazans assuming his role.
Mr Katz ordered the military to seize territory in Gaza until Hamas agrees to release all hostages still held in the strip and leave the territory.
Days before, the defence minister issued a statement saying if those demands were not met “Israel will act with force you have not known before”.
The news comes as the security cabinet also approved turning 13 occupied West Bank outposts of bigger settlements into independent communities, which far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described as a move that advanced his country’s “de facto sovereignty” over the region.
The move allows for the new settlements to get their own budgets and municipal councils, overcoming what Mr Smotrich said had been previous arrangements that prevented them from developing.
“We are continuing to lead a revolution in the normalisation and formalisation of settlements. Instead of hiding and apologising, we are raising the flag, building and settling,” he added.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the move and said it contravened international law.