Israeli Army Ordered to Prepare for Gaza Residents' Departure

Alsharq Tribune- Agencies 

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the army on Thursday to prepare a plan to allow the "voluntary departure" of residents from the Gaza strip, Israeli media reported.

The instruction followed US President Donald Trump's shock announcement that the United States plans to take over Gaza, resettle the Palestinians living there and transform the territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East.”

"I welcome President Trump's bold plan, Gaza residents should be allowed the freedom to leave and emigrate, as is the norm around the world," Israel's Channel 12 quoted Katz as saying

When asked who will take in the Palestinians, Katz said it should be countries who have opposed Israel's military operations in Gaza.

"Countries like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have levelled accusations and false claims against Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories," he said.

Katz's plan will include exit options via land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air, Channel 12 reported

Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares rejected Katz' suggestion.

"Gazans' land is Gaza and Gaza must be part of the future Palestinian state," Albares said in an interview with Spanish radio station RNE.