Security cabinet approves new directorate to enable ‘voluntary’ departure of Palestinians from Gaza

Last night, Israel’s security cabinet approved a suggestion by Defense Minister Israel Katz to establish a new administration in the Defense Ministry tasked with enabling Palestinians to “voluntarily” leave the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, Katz’s office says the new directorate will work to “prepare for and enable safe and controlled passage of Gaza residents for their voluntary departure to third countries, including securing their movement, establishing movement routes, checking pedestrians at designated crossings in the Gaza Strip, as well as coordinating the provision of infrastructure that will enable passage by land, sea and air to the destination countries.”

The head of the directorate will be selected by Katz soon, his office says.

The statement adds that the efforts to enable Gazans who seek to migrate from the Strip to do so, are being carried out “subject to Israeli and international law, and in accordance with the vision of US President Donald Trump.”

“We are working with all means to implement the US president’s vision, and we will allow any Gaza resident who wants to move to a third state to do so,” Katz says.