Israel is moving forward with preparations for Palestinians to leave Gaza, despite international condemnation of President Donald Trump’s controversial resettlement proposal.
While Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz claims plans are in motion, no visible steps have been taken on the ground.
Egypt has launched an urgent diplomatic push against the plan, warning that it could jeopardize its long-standing peace agreement with Israel. Palestinians fear the move would make their displacement permanent, with no path to return home.
Spain and Egypt refuse to take in displaced Palestinians
Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares flatly rejected Israel’s suggestion that his country should accept Palestinian refugees. “Gaza is the land of Gazans,” he said, emphasizing that it must be part of a future Palestinian state.
Egypt also reinforced its opposition, accusing Israel of trying to eliminate the Palestinian cause by forcing people out of their homeland. The country’s foreign ministry warned that Israel’s “irresponsible behavior” is derailing ceasefire negotiations and could reignite hostilities.
Israel’s military ordered to prepare exit routes
Israel’s defense minister instructed the military to develop strategies for Palestinians to leave Gaza via land, sea, and air. He hailed Trump’s “bold plan,” stating it would help large numbers of Palestinians relocate worldwide.
However, critics fear Israel will make any departure permanent. Trump originally proposed a full-scale resettlement, though U.S. officials later downplayed it as a temporary measure. Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the global community have condemned the plan, arguing that forced displacement violates international law.
Palestinians face another brutal winter in makeshift shelters
As the war drags on, hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans are bracing for their second freezing winter. Bitter winds have torn through refugee tents, and many returning to northern Gaza found their homes reduced to rubble. Overnight temperatures have dropped to 8°C (46°F), worsening already dire conditions.
Israeli soldier jailed for abusing Palestinian detainees
An Israeli military court sentenced a reserve soldier to seven months in prison for beating blindfolded Palestinian detainees at the notorious Sde Teiman detention facility. Despite reports of rampant abuse, Israel has long been accused of failing to hold its soldiers accountable.
Investigations have uncovered widespread mistreatment at the facility, with some detainees suffering sexual abuse. While Israeli authorities claim they are improving conditions, human rights groups say accountability remains elusive.
Trump: U.S. will rebuild Gaza without using American troops
President Trump doubled down on his Gaza proposal, saying Israel will hand control of the territory to the U.S. for redevelopment. He insists Palestinians will be relocated to “safer and more beautiful” communities, with new housing built in the region.
Despite global outrage, Trump envisions transforming Gaza into a world-class development project. However, even Republican lawmakers have distanced themselves from his suggestion that the U.S. should “own” the land.
Rights groups call Trump’s plan ‘ethnic cleansing’
Human Rights Watch warned that Trump’s resettlement plan, if implemented, could amount to ethnic cleansing. The organization noted that forced displacement, when part of a systematic attack, is considered a crime against humanity.
Trump and Israeli officials claim the relocation would be voluntary, but Palestinians remain adamant that they will not leave their homeland.
Palestinians protest Trump’s proposal
Demonstrators in Gaza rallied against Trump’s plan, calling it a “criminal” scheme to strip them of their land. Protesters carried signs demanding Gaza’s reconstruction by its own people.
Arab nations, including the UAE—which normalized relations with Israel in 2020—have also denounced the proposal, reaffirming support for Palestinian statehood.
Pakistan slams Trump’s Gaza plan as ‘deeply troubling’
Pakistan’s government joined the growing global criticism, calling Trump’s plan a blatant violation of international law. Officials reiterated their support for a two-state solution and demanded Israel withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories.
Egypt moves to block Trump’s Gaza resettlement push
Egypt has launched a diplomatic offensive to prevent Trump’s plan from gaining traction. Officials warned that forcing Palestinians out of Gaza could destabilize the region and endanger Egypt’s historic peace treaty with Israel.
Western diplomats confirm that Egypt is rallying support from European allies and Congress to counter Trump’s proposal. Egypt previously rejected similar ideas from the Biden administration and European governments.
