Israel creates new directorate to help Gaza residents emigrate amid ongoing crisis

In a move to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has appointed Colonel (res.) Yaakov Blitstein as the head of the newly established Gaza Voluntary Relocation Directorate.

Blitstein, who currently serves as the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Defence, will be tasked with overseeing the safe and controlled relocation of Gaza residents wishing to emigrate to third-party countries, Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media.

This appointment follows the recent approval by Israel’s security cabinet of Katz’s proposal to create a new administrative body within the Ministry of Defence. The directorate's primary goal will be to facilitate the voluntary relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, allowing them to leave for destinations around the world.

Blitstein brings a wealth of managerial expertise to the role, with a background in senior positions across several Israeli ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Energy, and Transportation. His responsibilities will include coordinating the logistics of relocation, securing safe passage for emigrants, and establishing necessary infrastructure to support land, sea, and air travel routes for those seeking to leave.

Minister Katz emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, aligning it with the vision of US President Donald Trump, which envisions providing an option for Gaza residents who wish to emigrate. According to Katz, preliminary findings suggest that at least 40 per cent of Gaza's population is interested in relocating.

This development comes as part of broader efforts to address the humanitarian and security concerns in the Gaza Strip amidst the ongoing conflict. The creation of the Gaza Voluntary Relocation Directorate represents a significant shift in Israel's approach to the crisis, focusing on facilitating voluntary emigration as a means of alleviating the pressures facing Gaza’s residents and offering them opportunities abroad.

By Vafa Guliyeva