The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that it will open a special office tasked with allowing Palestinians to “voluntarily” leave the Gaza Strip, a decision condemned by an Israeli non-governmental organization (NGO).
According to the ministry, a plan has been approved for an office dedicated to the “voluntary departure of Gaza residents to a third country.”
This office will be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense but could “cooperate with international organizations” to “ensure safe passage” for Gaza Strip residents to these other countries, the statement said, without specifying which countries are involved.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the proposal aligns with statements by the United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump, who said he wants Palestinians to voluntarily leave the Gaza Strip.
The NGO “Peace Now” condemned the establishment of such an office, “which is tasked with expelling Palestinians from Gaza,” and added that the Israeli government has “lost direction and logic.”
By establishing such an office for the “expulsion” of Palestinians, “Israel is admitting to committing war crimes,” the NGO added.
The Israeli army continued major operations in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, violating the ceasefire that took effect on January 19th in the war-torn territory following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023.
