Jerusalem Feb 7 (V7N) — Israel’s defense minister has ordered the military to prepare for what he calls "voluntary departures" from Gaza, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians out of the war-torn territory.

The move has sparked an international outcry, with the United Nations warning that any forced displacement would be “tantamount to ethnic cleansing.”

“I have instructed the IDF to prepare a plan to enable voluntary departure for Gaza residents,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday, adding that Palestinians could move “to any country willing to accept them.”

Trump first floated the idea during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week, saying the United States would take control of Gaza after the fighting ends. The remark was met with audible gasps.

Despite the criticism, Trump doubled down on his stance Thursday, writing on his social media platform, Truth Social:

“The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting. No soldiers by the US would be needed! Stability for the region would reign!!!”

His administration later attempted to clarify the statement, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying any transfer of Gazans would be “temporary.”

But Palestinian officials and human rights groups have denounced the idea as unacceptable.

Netanyahu, speaking to Fox News, described Trump’s proposal as “remarkable” and “worth listening very well to.” He called his meeting with Trump “a great turning point for the future of Israel.”

However, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem rejected the plan outright.

“Trump’s remarks about Washington taking control of Gaza amount to an open declaration of intent to occupy the territory,” Qassem said. “Gaza is for its people, and they will not leave.”

The United Nations and key Middle Eastern nations have strongly opposed the idea.

“Any forced displacement of people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Egypt, which helped broker the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, warned that the plan could “destroy the negotiations” for lasting peace.

For many Palestinians, the fear of being forcibly removed from their homeland echoes the Nakba—or "catastrophe"—when hundreds of thousands were displaced during the creation of Israel in 1948.

“They can do whatever they want, but we will remain steadfast in our homeland,” said Ahmed Halasa, a 41-year-old Gazan resident.

The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has left much of the enclave in ruins. Schools, hospitals, and key infrastructure have been destroyed.

More than 10,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said Thursday, calling it a “massive surge.”

Meanwhile, Israel launched fresh airstrikes in Lebanon late Thursday, targeting what it claimed were Hezbollah weapons sites. Lebanon’s state news agency reported that strikes hit areas in the south and east of the country, despite a separate ceasefire agreement.

END/WD/RH/