Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has outlined a plan for the illegal forced displacement of all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, outlined a plan to remove all Palestinians from Gaza.
- The plan proposes displacing 250,000 Palestinians in the first year.
- The remainder of Gaza's roughly 2 million people would be removed over the following six years.
- Ben-Gvir described the proposal as 'realistic' and 'concrete'.
- The remarks came in the run-up to close-fought Israeli elections.
Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has set out a plan for the forced displacement of all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, aiming to force them abroad, according to the Guardian.
Ben-Gvir said the plan would seek to remove 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza in the first year, followed by the rest of the territory’s population of roughly 2 million over the next six years, the Guardian reported.
The minister described the proposal as ‘realistic’ and ‘concrete’, according to the report.
The Guardian characterised the proposal as one for the illegal forced displacement of some 2 million people.
Ben-Gvir made the remarks in the run-up to close-fought Israeli elections, the Guardian said.
The report did not detail any endorsement of the plan by the wider Israeli government or how it would be implemented.
Why it matters
A senior Israeli minister publicly outlining the mass displacement of Gaza's population raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns, as forced transfer of a civilian population is prohibited under international law. The timing ahead of Israeli elections underscores how the future of Gaza has become a central political issue.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Itamar Ben-Gvir?
According to the Guardian, Itamar Ben-Gvir is Israel's far-right national security minister.
What does the plan propose?
The Guardian reports the plan would remove 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza in the first year and the rest of the population of roughly 2 million over the next six years.
Why is the proposal significant now?
The Guardian says Ben-Gvir made the remarks in the run-up to close-fought Israeli elections, and it described the plan as one for the illegal forced displacement of about 2 million people.