Smotrich plans to set up Gaza ‘migration administration’: Report
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced Israel’s government will create a large-scale “migration administration” to handle Palestinians leaving Gaza.
“This [expulsion] plan is taking shape with ongoing actions in coordination with the [US] administration… It involves identifying key countries, understanding their interests – both with the US and with us – and fostering cooperation,” Smotrich said at an event in parliament.
Smotrich – who has repeatedly called for Israel to push Palestinians out of Gaza and resettle the territory – called the task logistically “complex”, according to Israeli media.
On top of resettling Gaza, Smotrich – who lives in a settlement in the occupied West Bank – has also pushed for Israel to expand its West Bank settlements. Last year, he said he would bring “a million” new settlers into the occupied territory.
Vast majority of Israelis ‘willing to pay the price’ for captive release
A mass rally was held in Tel Aviv with family and friends of the captives demanding the Israeli government adhere to the ceasefire agreement with Hamas and get the abductees released.
“Netanyahu’s interests are not the interests of the state of Israel or its people,” said Zahiro Shahar Mor, nephew of captive Avraham Munder, at the demonstration.
“The vast majority of the Israeli public wants all remaining hostages to be returned home immediately, and they’re willing to pay the price for that.”
Before their weekly rally in Tel Aviv, relatives appealed to US President Donald Trump who met eight former captives on Wednesday.
“Mr President, a return to war means a death sentence for the living hostages left behind. Please, Sir, do not allow Netanyahu to sacrifice them,” a statement said.
‘Aid is not a privilege, it’s a right’
Shaina Low, the communication adviser at the Norwegian Refugee Council, is urging the international community to compel Israel to allow aid into Gaza.
“These are people who have been under siege for more than 16, 17 years at this point,” Low said, referring to the blockade Israel imposed on Gaza after Hamas took over the Strip in 2007.
“They’ve been under active hostilities for more than 15 months now, and have really lost everything, their homes, their livelihoods and their family members. These survivors are entitled to aid,” she said.
“And we want to remind the international community that aid is not a privilege. It’s a right. And Israel has obligations under international law to provide for the basic necessities for the people who live under occupation.”
Low noted the international community has so far failed to hold Israel to account.
“We need not just rhetoric from third states, but we need them to take action. To do everything in their power that they can to get these crossings open. To remind Israel of the very real obligations to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and to make sure those consequences exist if Israel does not reopen the crossings.”
