Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday he has instructed the military to draft a plan to “allow voluntary departure” of Gaza residents from the enclave — days after President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal that the United States “take over” the Strip and remove all the people living there.
“I welcome President Trump’s bold plan, which could enable a large segment of Gaza’s population to relocate to various destinations around the world,” Katz said in a statement. The Israeli plan would allow Gaza residents to depart for “any country willing to receive them,” via land crossings or through “special arrangements for departure by sea and air,” he said.
The White House has since tried to temper parts of Trump’s declaration, which drew condemnation from U.S. foes and allies alike. Palestinians in Gaza have mostly not been able to leave the enclave since the war began in October 2023, with some exceptions such as limited medical evacuations.
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