Israel kills 3 in Gaza as far-right minister plans for Palestinian removals

Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, unveiled a proposal on Thursday to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and resettle them in other countries. In the lead-up to Israel's upcoming elections, Ben Gvir outlined a plan to have 250,000 Palestinians leave Gaza within the first year, followed by the remaining two million over the next six years.

"It's realistic," he asserted, claiming that certain nations are prepared to accept Gazans, though he did not name them. Ben Gvir emphasized the need to encourage the emigration of Gaza's inhabitants and maintained that his plan does not entail forcibly displacing Palestinians from their homes. However, forced displacement of civilians in occupied territories is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

Ben Gvir, a prominent figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, has made inflammatory remarks in the past that have drawn international condemnation. The far-right populist party led by Ben Gvir is seeking a position overseeing emigration during the formation of the next Israeli government. His plan, detailed in a 20-page document, aims to provide a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

While his statements and those of other coalition members have been made before, it remains uncertain whether they will translate into action. The Oct. 27 election is anticipated to be a tight contest, with no assurance that the current ruling parties will retain power. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously stated that his country is ready to remove Palestinians from Gaza if the United States approves.

Katz and other far-right figures, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have also advocated for the emigration of Palestinians from the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. US President Donald Trump, during his second term, proposed the removal of all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and even suggested turning the territory into a luxury resort.

However, Trump later backed away from the idea due to widespread backlash, including from Egypt, the sole country bordering Gaza. The Israeli military's offensive in Gaza since Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023 attack has led to the internal displacement of virtually all Gazans, with the death toll rising to at least 73,470 since the conflict began, according to official Israeli figures.