Arab, Islamic countries condemn Israeli displacement proposals

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey have vehemently denounced Israel's proposed removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, warning that the move threatens the US-backed peace efforts. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday that the government intends to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, but is awaiting US approval on the destination for the displaced population.

This plan reportedly aims to remove 250,000 Palestinians in the first year, with the remaining 1.75 million residents to be displaced over the next six years.

The foreign ministers of the eight Muslim-majority nations condemned the Israeli plan in the strongest possible terms, stating that the measures directly undermine international efforts to achieve peace in the region. They specifically referred to US President Donald Trump's comprehensive plan, which was unveiled in October 2025, and emphasized that the plan rejects forced displacement as a solution to the conflict in Gaza.

On Saturday, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who is a staunch supporter of Israel and Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, denied any Israeli plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza.