Discussions around the future of Gaza’s population have escalated, with proposals for “voluntary departure” or “resettlement” emerging, drawing sharp criticism and concern. While no formal Gaza Resettlement Deal has been internationally sanctioned, Israeli officials and some analysts, including a prominent expert, suggest such plans are strategically beneficial for Israel’s long-term security and territorial control, igniting a fierce debate.
In early 2025, reports surfaced about Israel establishing a government agency tasked with overseeing the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries. This concept, often presented as a humanitarian solution, is widely condemned by human rights groups as a form of forced displacement. Yet, for some, this Gaza Resettlement Deal framework is seen as advantageous to Israel’s objectives.
Experts like Dr. Amir Avivi, a former brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and founder of the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF), have articulated how such a Gaza Resettlement Deal would “help Israel.” He argues that a significantly reduced Palestinian population in Gaza would diminish the threat of future conflict, eliminate Hamas’s operational base, and enhance Israel’s security perimeter.
Furthermore, proposals floated by figures like President Donald Trump, envisioning Gaza as a “Middle East Riviera” after a U.S. “takeover” and Palestinian relocation, have resonated with some Israeli officials. Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel publicly thanked Trump for this “important initiative,” illustrating how a Gaza Resettlement Deal concept is perceived to align with certain Israeli aspirations.
Critics, however, vehemently reject these proposals, labeling them as a form of ethnic cleansing that violates international law and humanitarian principles. They emphasize that the vast majority of Gaza’s population are refugees or descendants of refugees, and forced displacement would exacerbate a long-standing humanitarian crisis, with devastating consequences.
The international community, including numerous Arab states and UN agencies, has largely denounced any proposals for mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Egypt and Jordan, in particular, have firmly rejected any plans that would see Palestinians forcibly relocated to their territories, citing severe security and demographic concerns.