Tel Aviv: Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, asserted on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza is advancing, despite widespread opposition from regional governments.
Speaking at an event in the Israeli parliament, Smotrich claimed that discussions and logistical preparations for the initiative are ongoing in coordination with the U.S. administration. He described the plan as a potential “historic shift” for Israel and the Middle East.
According to Smotrich, the proposal involves securing agreements with countries willing to accept some of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents. He acknowledged the complexity of the effort, estimating that even at a rate of 10,000 people per day, the process would take at least six months.
The plan has been met with strong opposition from Palestinians, Arab nations, and several world leaders, who have denounced any forced displacement as a violation of international law. Trump’s idea—initially proposed shortly after his return to office—envisioned transforming Gaza into a tourist-friendly area under U.S. oversight while relocating its inhabitants to Egypt and Jordan.
In response, a coalition of Arab and European governments has introduced a counterproposal, focusing on reconstructing Gaza without displacing its residents. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, acknowledged the Arab initiative as a “good-faith step” by Egypt, though some U.S. and Israeli officials remain skeptical.
Despite the backlash, Smotrich insisted that pushing ahead with Trump’s vision could finally resolve the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “For 76 years, we have sought solutions,” he said. “With this U.S. administration, we can achieve much more.”
