Israel maintains plans for Gaza population transfer despite White House freeze

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has confirmed that the government's plan to facilitate the transfer of Gaza's Palestinian population to third countries remains active, despite being temporarily “frozen” by the White House.

In March 2025, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu approved a resolution to manage what official terminology calls “voluntary emigration.” To support this, the Ministry of Defense established a specialized department, and the Mossad was tasked with identifying countries willing to accept the displaced population. Katz stated that the ministry is prepared to facilitate departures “by sea, by air, and by any means” as soon as circumstances allow.

The project has faced significant hurdles, including resistance from Hamas and a lack of international interest from host nations. While Donald Trump initially expressed support for such plans in February 2025, recent shifts in the White House's stance and international condemnation have slowed the initiative's momentum.