Israel's Defense Minister Discusses Seeking U.S. Support for Palestinian Resettlement Plans

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the country is seeking former President Donald Trump's support for plans to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. During a conference hosted by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Katz expressed that he believes U.S. backing could influence regional opinion regarding the forced resettlement of Palestinians. He mentioned that the Israeli government is prepared to facilitate this migration by various means, including by sea and air. Katz noted that Trump had previously discussed a U.S. takeover of Gaza that would involve the removal of Palestinians but has since retracted from that idea. He emphasized that U.S. support is crucial for convincing neighboring countries to accept Palestinian refugees, particularly pointing to Egypt's lobbying against such actions. The White House has not commented on whether Trump is still engaged in discussions regarding Israel's proposals. Katz's remarks come amid a competitive election season in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies have called for more aggressive measures against Palestinians. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's position on not withdrawing from the Gaza border until Hamas is disarmed, stating, 'We control the territory and are staying on this line.'