Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Hamas Urges Arab Muslim States Oppose Israeli Gaza Displacement Plan
Hamas says Arab and Muslim countries should work together against plans to move Palestinians out of Gaza.
Some Israeli ministers have proposed helping Palestinians leave the territory.
Itamar Ben-Gvir described a plan involving hundreds of thousands of people in the first year.
Israel Katz said departures could happen by land or sea.
He said Israel was waiting for the United States to examine possible destinations.
Hamas called the proposals a dangerous escalation.
Experts cited in the report say forced removal from occupied territory is forbidden by international law.
Gaza’s people have already been displaced many times during the war.
Former United States President Donald Trump also suggested moving Palestinians from Gaza before backing away after opposition, including from Egypt.
Hamas urged Arab and Muslim-majority countries to jointly oppose proposals to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed relocating about 250,000 Palestinians in the first year.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would facilitate departures by land and sea and was awaiting possible destinations.
The proposals have raised international legal concerns because forced displacement in occupied territory can constitute a war crime.
The plans follow mass displacement during Israel’s military campaign after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks.
- Who
- Hamas, represented by spokesman Hazem Qassem, and Israeli ministers including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israel Katz.
- What
- Hamas called for coordinated opposition to Israeli proposals to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip outside the territory.
- When
- The call was made on Friday, after proposals announced on Thursday; the report also places the issue ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections.
- Where
- The proposals concern the Gaza Strip, with possible departures by land and sea; the report also mentions the occupied West Bank.
- Why
- Hamas says the plans threaten Gaza’s Palestinian population, while the report says forced displacement in occupied territory raises serious international legal concerns.
Opposition to Displacement
Support for Relocation Proposals
Whether Palestinians should leave Gaza
Opposition to Displacement
Hamas opposes removing Gaza’s Palestinian population and is calling for coordinated Arab and Muslim action against the plans.
Support for Relocation Proposals
Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israel Katz have backed or described measures intended to facilitate Palestinians’ departure from Gaza.
International legal status
Opposition to Displacement
The report states that forced displacement from occupied territory is prohibited under international humanitarian law and can amount to a war crime.
Support for Relocation Proposals
The Israeli ministers’ proposals, as described in the report, focus on organized departures and possible destinations but do not address the legal concerns cited.
International support for relocation
Opposition to Displacement
Countries including Egypt opposed Donald Trump’s earlier Gaza relocation proposal, contributing to his backing away from it.
Support for Relocation Proposals
Trump had presented relocation as a way to enable Gaza’s redevelopment as a luxury resort.
- Hamas position
- Hamas urged Arab and Muslim-majority countries to adopt concrete measures opposing the proposals.
- First-year proposal
- Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed that about 250,000 Palestinians leave Gaza during the first year.
- Longer-term proposal
- Ben-Gvir’s plan described the departure of Gaza’s remaining population of roughly two million over six years.
- Departure methods
- Israel Katz said Israel was prepared to facilitate departures by land and sea.
- Legal concern
- Forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory is prohibited under international humanitarian law and can amount to a war crime.
- Previous displacement
- Gaza has experienced mass displacement during Israel’s military campaign following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
- Earlier relocation proposal
- Donald Trump previously suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza, then backed away after opposition including from Egypt.