WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from war-torn Gaza, stating that Israel is ready to “do the job.” The plan, which has drawn sharp criticism across the Middle East and beyond, suggests temporarily moving Gazans while rebuilding efforts take place.
In a Fox News interview aired on Feb 8, Netanyahu called Trump’s proposal “the first fresh idea in years” and insisted that it provides a “correct approach” to Gaza’s future. However, the idea has sparked fears of forced displacement, with critics warning that it echoes past mass expulsions of Palestinians.
Netanyahu maintained that any relocations would be voluntary and dismissed accusations of ethnic cleansing. He emphasized that the key challenge lies in finding a country willing to accept displaced Gazans. The plan comes amid ongoing conflict and destruction in the region following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and subsequent Israeli military operations.
Palestinians and many international observers view any efforts to remove Gazans from their homeland as deeply troubling, recalling the 1948 “Nakba,” when hundreds of thousands were displaced during Israel’s creation.