Watan-Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz has decided to establish a special administration to facilitate the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Monday evening that Katz “announced his decision to establish a special administration for the voluntary departure of Gaza residents.”
The newspaper quoted Katz’s office as saying that the minister held discussions on the matter and concluded with the decision to establish the administration.
The proposed administration will include representatives from other ministries and Israeli security agencies. The Hebrew newspaper noted that during the discussions on establishing the administration, an initial plan was presented. This plan includes “extensive assistance that would allow any Gaza resident wishing to emigrate voluntarily to a third country to receive special exit arrangements via sea, air, and land.”
Israel and U.S. Plan for Post-War Gaza Control
This Israeli move aligns with statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 4. In his remarks, Trump revealed his country’s intention to seize control of the Gaza Strip after the complete displacement of its Palestinian residents to other countries.
He did not rule out the possibility of deploying U.S. forces to support Gaza’s reconstruction, expecting the United States to have “long-term ownership” of the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s plan, calling it “the first new idea in years.”
In the same context, Netanyahu said on Monday that he must adhere to Trump‘s plan for controlling Gaza. In a statement, he added, “As I have promised, after the war in Gaza, there will be neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.”
Arab Summit Delayed as Gaza Ceasefire Progresses
Meanwhile, an Arab mini-summit scheduled for Thursday in Riyadh to discuss Trump’s plan has been postponed to Friday. The summit has also been expanded to include the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, along with Egypt and Jordan.
The ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect on January 19 following a devastating 15-month war on the Strip. Since the first phase of the truce, which is set to end on March 1, 19 Israeli detainees and 1,134 Palestinian prisoners have been released.
Under the agreement, this phase will see the release of 33 Israeli detainees held in Gaza in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. The second phase of the agreement is expected to secure the release of all remaining living Israeli detainees and bring an end to the war. The third and final phase will focus on Gaza’s reconstruction—a massive project that the United Nations estimates will cost more than $53 billion.
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