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Controversial Plan for Gaza's Displaced Population
Israeli Defense Minister Katz has proposed transforming the destroyed Gazan city of Rafah into a closed camp housing Palestinians displaced by the conflict. The plan, revealed to Israeli journalists, would initially accommodate 600,000 people before expanding to potentially contain Gaza's entire population. Katz described the facility as a "humanitarian city" where residents would undergo security checks upon entry and be permanently confined.
International Reactions and Criticism
Human rights organizations immediately condemned the proposal. Israeli attorney Michael Sfard called it a "blueprint for crimes against humanity" in comments to The Guardian. The plan contradicts the Israeli military's recent statement that forcibly relocating Gaza's population isn't a war objective. Prime Minister Netanyahu, visiting the White House, maintained any transfers must be voluntary, though experts doubt true voluntariness would be possible under such conditions.
Historical Context and Implementation Challenges
This isn't the first relocation proposal - former President Trump previously suggested moving Gazans to create a "Middle Eastern Riviera." Katz suggested international organizations might administer the camp while Israeli troops guard its perimeter. Similar arrangements at food distribution points have previously resulted in hundreds of Palestinian casualties when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds.
Political Realities
Utrecht University researcher Peter Malcontent noted the plan reflects radical thinking within Netanyahu's coalition but doubted its implementation. "This is just one minister's proposal, not government policy," he stated, adding that poor camp conditions would pressure residents to "voluntarily" depart over time.
