Israel is seeking to forcibly displace up to 600,000 Palestinians from Gaza into a so-called “humanitarian city” in Rafah with the backing of the U.S.
Although Israel refers to the scheme as “voluntary migration,” legal experts and rights groups argue that it clearly violates international law.
The controversial plan is being discussed as part of U.S.-brokered ceasefire negotiations currently taking place in Qatar. The proposed truce would last for 60 days and include a prisoner exchange deal — but observers say it is also being used to quietly advance the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The so-called “humanitarian city” would be built on the rubble of southern Gaza and serve as a staging ground to deport Palestinians to third countries.
While Israel claims it is a humanitarian gesture, human rights groups argue that the plan resembles more of an internment camp designed to restrict the movement of Palestinians and consolidate Israeli control over the Strip.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has confirmed that all Palestinians would be subjected to mandatory “security screenings” before entering the camp, and would not be permitted to leave once inside.
According to Israeli briefings, those screenings would involve thorough inspections for weapons or any alleged ties to Hamas. But critics say the process is arbitrary and dangerous — reminiscent of Israel’s indiscriminate bombings of Gaza, which have killed over 57,500 people since October 7, 2023.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
These killings have been repeatedly justified by Israeli officials as part of a campaign to “eradicate Hamas,” but have overwhelmingly targeted civilians, mostly women and children.
Smokescreen to ethnic cleansing
The idea of forcibly deporting Palestinians from Gaza was reportedly discussed during a recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump — who first floated the concept in January.
The broader goal, observers say, is to remove Palestinians from Gaza altogether — a policy consistent with statements made by Netanyahu over the course of Israel’s war on Gaza.
In a January 2024 press conference, Netanyahu declared: “In any future arrangement… Israel needs security control over all territory west of the Jordan.”
Analysts quickly pointed out that such a vision is incompatible with any form of Palestinian sovereignty — effectively eliminating the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Trump has echoed these ambitions, telling reporters that there is “great cooperation” with regional countries and expressing confidence that “something good will happen.”
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a U.S. and Israeli-backed organisation — is reportedly spearheading efforts to establish “temporary humanitarian settlement areas” in southern Gaza.
But the GHF’s track record has already come under serious scrutiny.
On May 27, Israeli forces opened fire on crowds gathered at aid distribution points coordinated by the GHF, killing at least 600 Palestinians.
The IDF blamed Hamas for the incident, claiming it deliberately created chaos — a pattern of deflection used to whitewash war crimes.
Humanitarian project or a war crime?
Legal experts and rights activists have condemned the proposed “humanitarian city” as a cover for forced displacement and population transfer.
Michael Sfard, an Israeli human rights lawyer, said: “Defence Minister Gallant has laid out an operational plan for a crime against humanity. It is nothing less than that.”
“When you drive someone out of their homeland, that’s a war crime in the context of war. If it’s done on a massive scale like he plans, it becomes a crime against humanity,” he added.
The Geneva Conventions explicitly forbids “mass forcible transfers” from occupied territories, regardless of the justification.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) — which neither Israel nor the U.S. are members of — considers “forcible transfer” to be both a war crime and, under certain conditions, a crime against humanity.
Trump has previously described plans to turn Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East” — prompting fresh questions over whether the displacement of Palestinians is paving the way for long-term colonisation.
At a recent White House briefing, Trump was asked whether the U.S. would support the forced removal of Palestinians, to which he replied: “You’re going to see that they’re all going to want to leave.”
Netanyahu has since backed the plan enthusiastically, branding the “humanitarian city” as a U.S. initiative aimed at “resolving” the conflict.
Despite the mounting pressure, Palestinians have made it clear that they have no intention of leaving Gaza.
