Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the Israeli military to come up with a plan that would allow Palestinians to leave , following US President Donald Trump’s on taking over the enclave.
on Tuesday shocked the world when he said in a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister : “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it.”
On Thursday, Katz welcomed Trump’s plan as “bold.”
“Gaza residents should be allowed the freedom to leave and emigrate, as is the norm around the world,” Katz was quoted as saying. “I have instructed the [army] to prepare a plan that would allow any Gaza resident who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willing to accept them.”
Katz added in a statement on X that his plan would allow Palestinians to leave the enclave “through land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air.”
Katz said the countries which had opposed Israel’s military operations in Gaza should take in the Palestinians who leave the enclave.
“Countries like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have levelled accusations and false claims against Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories,” he said.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares was quick to reject the suggestion.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has hailed Trump’s statements, calling them “the first good idea that I’ve heard” in an interview with Fox News.
“It’s a remarkable idea, and I think it should be really pursued, examined, pursued and done, because I think it will create a different future for everyone,” he said.
The Israeli prime minister nevertheless said he did not believe Trump had suggested sending US troops to fight Hamas in Gaza, or that the US would finance rebuilding the Strip.
Apart from Israel, Trump’s statements sent shock waves worldwide, prompting from regional allies, including Saudi Arabia.
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