US ambassador says Israel not planning forced displacement from Gaza

On Saturday, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee stated unequivocally that Israel has no intention of forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza. This comes after Israeli ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, proposed plans to expel up to two million Palestinians from the territory over a six-year period. These proposals were made in response to a surge in hostilities following Hamas' Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also hinted at plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza via sea and land, but emphasized that the United States was seeking a voluntary departure route for the population. Huckabee noted that the Trump administration, which prioritizes opposition to international migration, wants to give Palestinians the option to leave voluntarily, describing it as "a disgrace to incarcerate Palestinians inside Gaza."

He reiterated that there are no plans for forced displacement, as neither Israel nor the US supports such a course of action. The Geneva Conventions deem forced displacement of civilians from occupied territory as a war crime. Internally displaced Palestinians in Gaza have already faced significant displacement due to the Israeli military offensive following the Oct 7, 2023 attack.

As Israel prepares for October 27 elections, the displacement discussion is gaining traction, even among far-right politicians who previously faced ostracism.