According to the Israeli news site Ynet and the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, stated that his country is seeking Donald Trump’s support to approve plans to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Katz asserted that there was no real solution for Gaza without this migration, adding that the government was organized and prepared to remove residents by sea, air, and every possible way, in a proposal widely condemned as a potential war crime.
Israel Seeks US Support for Gaza Resettlement Plans
During a conference hosted by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel Katz detailed the ongoing discussions regarding the forced removal of the Palestinian population. According to Katz, Trump’s approval is crucial to convince neighboring countries to accept Palestinian refugees, noting that every nation willing to take them in wants American backing. Katz stated that while Trump has not canceled the idea at the moment, he has frozen it. The Israeli defence minister pointed specifically to Egypt, which he said has lobbied Washington to oppose the forced removal. The White House did not immediately respond to a request from the Guardian for comment on whether Trump was continuing to hold discussions on Israel’s proposals.
UN Security Council Endorses US-Drafted Gaza Plan
In contrast to the expulsion proposals, the UN Security Council passed a US-drafted resolution aimed at moving beyond the fragile truce in Gaza toward sustainable peace and reconstruction, according to CNN reporting. The 15-member council voted 13 to 0 in favor of the measure, with abstentions from Russia and China. US President Donald Trump praised the vote in a social media post, acknowledging the endorsement of the “Board of Peace,” which will be chaired by him. According to a draft seen by CNN, the resolution authorizes the Board of Peace as a transitional authority and establishes a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza to secure streets, oversee demilitarization, protect civilians, and escort aid through safe corridors.
Implementation Challenges and Diplomatic Divisions
Western diplomatic sources told CNN that the lack of detail in the UN resolution will make implementation difficult, particularly regarding the timeline for transitional authorities to hand over power to the Palestinian Authority. The resolution states that the Board of Peace will oversee the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza until the end of 2027. Russia abstained from the vote to ensure the resolution did not become a death knell for the two-state solution, while China argued that Palestinian sovereignty and ownership were not fully reflected. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited a military post close to the yellow line in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, declaring that Israel will control the territory and stay on the line until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is demilitarized.
Pro Tip: Monitoring international resolutions alongside domestic political shifts provides crucial context for understanding rapid policy changes in the Middle East. According to reporting from major outlets, tracking official UN drafts and direct ministerial statements remains the most reliable way to verify evolving diplomatic positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Board of Peace?
According to CNN, the Board of Peace is a transitional authority chaired by Donald Trump, authorized by the UN Security Council to oversee the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Why did Russia and China abstain from the UN vote?
According to CNN, Russia abstained to ensure the resolution did not undermine the two-state solution, while China argued that Palestinian sovereignty and ownership were not fully reflected in the text.
What did Israel Katz say regarding the Palestinian population?
According to Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the government is organized to remove Palestinians from Gaza by sea, air, and every possible way, and is seeking Donald Trump’s support to secure backing from neighboring countries.
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on the latest diplomatic developments in Gaza? Leave a comment below or subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing updates.