Katz: We Plan to Concentrate Gaza’s Population in a ‘Humanitarian City’ on Rafah’s Ruins to Push Them to Emigrate

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced an Israeli plan to forcibly concentrate Palestinians into a so-called “humanitarian city” built over the ruins of Rafah. “Our goal is to push them toward emigration,” he noted.

In a press briefing on Monday, Katz said the Israeli army is preparing to transfer around 600,000 Palestinians from the al-Mawasi area into the new encampment. Entry into the area will be permitted only after security checks, and residents will not be allowed to leave.

“Our goal is to push them toward emigration,” Katz said bluntly.

He described this as Phase One of a broader Israeli strategy to control Gaza’s population after the war. He said the city would be secured remotely by Israeli forces, but Israel would not distribute food or directly manage the area. Instead, Katz said Israel hopes to bring in international actors to oversee the population.

Construction of the “humanitarian city” could begin within 60 days, during a possible ceasefire period. Katz appointed Amir Baram, the former deputy army chief and current director general of the Defense Ministry, to lead the project.

Katz confirmed Israel’s long-term goal: to facilitate the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is already in talks to find third countries willing to accept them. “The migration plan must be implemented,” Katz declared.

He also said the Israeli army will maintain a security strip in Gaza and ensure Hamas is disarmed. He claimed the military is doing a “phenomenal job” and would soon have operational control over 70% of the territory.

Israeli media outlet Kan quoted senior defense officials saying that if not for concerns over the lives of Israeli soldier prisoners held in Gaza, the army would have advanced more aggressively.

Earlier today, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi denied claims of forced displacement, after three reserve soldiers petitioned Israel’s High Court to investigate whether Operation Gideon Chariots violates international law by forcibly transferring civilians.

However, Haaretz revealed that military orders issued last month do, in fact, state that “gathering and moving the population” is a key objective. The Israeli army confirmed the authenticity of the orders but declined to comment officially.

Katz’s plan has raised alarm among human rights groups and Palestinians who say Israel is using the war to advance ethnic cleansing and remove native residents under the guise of security and humanitarian aid.

The announcement follows reports of a separate US-Israeli plan by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to build “Humanitarian Transit Areas” inside and outside Gaza. That plan, revealed by Reuters, also aimed to expel Palestinians and “de radicalize and reintegrate” them elsewhere.

Humanitarian experts warn that both Israeli and US-backed plans share one dangerous feature: the mass expulsion of Palestinians from their land and ethnic cleansing.