Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the army on Thursday to prepare a plan to allow Palestinians to “voluntarily” leave the enclave.
According to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Katz instructed the army "to prepare a plan to allow voluntary departure for Gaza residents, including special arrangements for exit by sea and air."
It comes two days after US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US would “take over” Gaza, after resettling its people elsewhere.
"I welcome US President Trump's bold plan, which could allow a large population in Gaza to leave for various places in the world," Katz said.
The defense minister listed potential countries that he said are "obliged” to host Palestinians, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, claiming that these countries "made false accusations and plots against Israel due to its activities in Gaza."
In response to Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, the three European countries in May last year announced recognition of the Palestinian state, a move that infuriated Tel Aviv.
There was no immediate comment from the three nations on Katz’s statements.
Katz also claimed that the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians would "enable the advancement of reconstruction plans in a demilitarized and threat-free Gaza."
Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal was met with wide condemnations from the Palestinians, Arab countries and many other nations across the world, including Canada, France, Germany, and the UK.
Since Jan. 25, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should be taken in by regional Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan, an idea rejected by both the Arab states and Palestinian leaders.
Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians in Gaza first came after a ceasefire agreement took effect in the enclave on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 47,500 Palestinians and left the enclave in ruins.
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