Israeli security officials confirm that the necessary preparations have been completed to facilitate the emigration of thousands of Gaza residents daily through multiple routes.
The initiative, designed to ease the departure process, hinges on securing destination countries willing to absorb emigrants. One such country had expressed interest in receiving Gazan construction workers, but international political pressures have temporarily stalled progress.
Under the directives of Defense Minister Israel Katz, a structured mechanism has been established to enable the exit of up to 2,500 Gazans per day. With over two million Palestinians residing in Gaza, the plan aims to provide a pathway for voluntary migration.
Three Exit Routes
Gazans seeking to emigrate will have three primary routes available:
- By Sea: Departures will be facilitated through Israel’s Ashdod Port.
- By Air: Flights will be operated from Ramon Airport, a route that has already been used for evacuating wounded individuals. So far, approximately 1,500 Gazans have utilized this method to reach third countries.
- By Land: The Rafah border crossing into Egypt remains another avenue. Reports indicate that since the outbreak of the war, around 35,000 individuals have exited Gaza via Rafah, with many continuing their journeys to other nations.
Israel’s policy encourages as many Gaza residents as possible to leave, including family members of the sick and wounded. While most emigrants have relocated to Arab countries, some have reached European destinations such as Romania and Italy, aiming for permanent resettlement.
Strategic Vision
A senior security official emphasized that this approach aligns with the principles of the Trump administration’s peace framework, which Israel has endorsed. “Our objective is to enable as many people as possible to leave. This is the logic behind the plan, and we are working to implement it,” the official stated.
Meanwhile, the "Reservists - Victory Generation" movement has outlined a voluntary emigration plan, advocating for the relocation of 1.7 million Gazans through air, sea, and land to various host countries, including Egypt, Libya, and Gulf states.
The proposal includes full funding for departures, temporary housing solutions, and financial grants for migrants, at an estimated cost of up to $100 billion—considerably less than the expense of reconstructing Gaza.
Maj. Gilad Ach, chairman of the movement, highlighted the opportunity presented by current geopolitical conditions: “We are offering a structured plan to remove the ongoing threat to Israeli citizens from Gaza. This is a rare moment to take advantage of the opening created by the current U.S. administration.”
As Israel moves forward with these preparations, the success of the initiative will depend on international cooperation and political dynamics shaping the region’s future.