Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from war-ravaged Gaza was “taking shape,” despite broad opposition from governments across the region.
“This plan is taking shape, with ongoing actions in coordination with the (U.S.) administration,” Smotrich said during an event in the Israeli parliament.
He added that preparations were already underway to establish a managing body responsible for overseeing the displacement process.
“This has the potential to create a historic change in the Middle East and for the state of Israel,” said Smotrich, who has consistently advocated for resuming military operations against Hamas and has voiced support for re-establishing a permanent Israeli presence in Gaza.
Trump’s proposal would require securing agreements with nations willing to accept at least some of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents, Smotrich noted.
“It involves identifying key countries, understanding their interests—both with the U.S. and with us—and fostering cooperation,” he explained.
Implementing the plan, which has been welcomed by some Israeli leaders but condemned by Palestinians, Arab governments, and several world leaders, would be a massive logistical challenge, Smotrich admitted.
“Just to give you an idea—if we remove 10,000 people a day, seven days a week, it will take six months,” he said.
Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump (Photo: Elizabeth Frantz)
“If we remove 5,000 people a day, it will take a year. Of course, this is assuming we have countries willing to take them, but these are very, very, very long processes.”
Legal experts have warned that the forced removal of Gaza’s population would constitute a violation of international law.
Trump’s Controversial Proposal
Shortly after taking office, Trump sparked international outrage by suggesting that the U.S. should take control of Gaza and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” while forcing its Palestinian inhabitants to relocate to neighboring Egypt and Jordan.
Last week, an Arab counterproposal to Trump’s plan was introduced, receiving support from several Islamic nations and European governments.
This Arab proposal focuses on rebuilding Gaza without displacing its residents, who endured more than 15 months of war before a fragile ceasefire took effect on January 19.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, described the Arab initiative as a “good-faith first step from the Egyptians,” though other Israeli and U.S. officials have voiced skepticism.
Smotrich, however, said he was actively working to push Trump’s plan forward, calling it “an opportunity to bring an end to the conflict” between Israel and the Palestinians.
Since Israel’s establishment in 1948 and “until today, we have been dragging this along for 76 years, searching for solutions… With the current (U.S.) administration, we will do much more,” Smotrich said.
