Netanyahu: Host countries are needed to resettle Gaza residents

Israel has set up a special office to relocate residents from the Gaza Strip who want to leave the enclave, but host countries are needed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

“We have created a directorate that will allow them [Gaza residents] to leave, but there is one problem: host countries are needed. We are working on it now,” Netanyahu said, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

“If we give them a way out, I’m telling you — more than 50% will leave. In my opinion, many more. But Hamas will not remain there,” he added.

Back in March, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the agency for displacement of people from Gaza is being built following the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of Defence Minister Israel Katz’ plan. 

People willing to leave the sealed-off Gaza Strip should be allowed to do so “in compliance with Israeli and international law and in line with US President Donald Trump’s vision”, Netanyahu’s spokeswoman said. 

The Israeli peace movement Peace Now condemned the move, labelling it “an indelible stain on Israel” in a post on X .

“When life in a certain place is made impossible by bombing and siege, there is nothing ‘voluntary’ about people leaving,” the organisation wrote.

By Sabina Mammadli