The Israeli Ministry of National Defense announced the construction of a "humanitarian city" for Palestinians

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the construction of a "humanitarian city" in the southern Gaza Strip, where 600,000 Palestinians, and ultimately the entire population of the territory, would be relocated. Civilians would be vetted before entering the area and would then be barred from leaving.

If conditions allow, construction of the "city" would begin during the 60-day ceasefire currently being negotiated, Kac told reporters on Monday. He added that it would be built on the ruins of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, and would initially relocate civilians from the nearby humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi.

The minister emphasized that the Israeli military would only provide external security, but that "international bodies" would manage and distribute humanitarian aid on site. Kac added that Israel is seeking "international partners" to implement the plan.

The politician also expressed support for the plan for "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to other countries, emphasizing that it should be implemented. He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading efforts to find countries that would agree to accept Gazans.

Netanyahu, during a dinner with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, praised the American leader's vision of giving "free choice" to Palestinians who want to leave the Gaza Strip.

"We are working very closely with the United States to find countries that will strive to achieve what they have always talked about – a better future for the Palestinians. We are close to finding a few states that will give the Palestinians freedom of choice," Netanyahu said Monday at the White House.

In early February, Trump announced a plan to relocate the Gaza Strip's population to Arab states and for the territory to be taken over by the US. The proposal, which was subsequently modified several times, was met with fierce criticism from Arab states and much of the international community, but was warmly received in Israel.

The authorities in Jerusalem have already asked several countries to accept Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, but none of them have responded positively; therefore, Israel does not expect this plan to be implemented, the Haaretz daily wrote, citing an official familiar with the matter.

Reuters reported on Monday that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has proposed building large camps for Palestinians inside the Gaza Strip and possibly outside the territory, dubbed "Humanitarian Transfer Zones." The GHF denied the reports, saying it focuses on delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

From Jerusalem Jerzy Adamiak (PAP)

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