Israel Seeks U.S. Backing to Expel Palestinians From Gaza

Israel is seeking Donald Trump’s blessing for a plan to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Israel Katz said, reviving a proposal that has faced broad condemnation.

Speaking at a conference organized by Israeli news site Ynet and the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Katz said there could be no real solution for Gaza without moving its population. “Ultimately, there is no real solution for Gaza without this population transfer,” he said.

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Ultimately, there is no real solution for Gaza without this population transfer.

Katz said Israeli authorities were organized and ready to remove Gaza’s residents by sea, air or any other available means. He argued that U.S. support could influence opinion across the region and persuade neighboring countries to accept Palestinians displaced from Gaza.

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Every country willing to take them in wants American support.

Trump discussed a U.S. takeover of Gaza at the beginning of 2025, including the relocation of Palestinians from the territory, but later backed away from the idea. A 20-point peace plan drawn up by the White House last year did not include deporting Palestinians, an action widely viewed as ethnic cleansing.

Katz said Trump had not rejected the proposal, only delayed it. “Every country willing to take them in wants American support,” he said.

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Trump has not canceled it. He has only postponed it.