Top Israeli officials discuss Gaza mass migration impasse

Netanyahu’s new national security adviser presses security agencies to explain lack of progress facilitating mass migration of Gazans out of the Strip.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel’s newly appointed national security adviser, Shmuel Ben Ezra, called an urgent meeting this week to review efforts aimed at facilitating the departure of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, following months of little progress on this front.

According to a report published by Haaretz, the discussion centered on Israel’s policy of enabling voluntary emigration from Gaza.

Ben Ezra is said to have summoned officials with little notice, despite the continued absence of countries willing to accept large numbers of Palestinians from the territory.

Participants from Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency reportedly told the meeting that they had not identified any nations prepared to receive Gazans and that there had been no meaningful progress on the matter.

“We are not aware of any country currently willing to take in Palestinians who choose to leave Gaza,” a security source was quoted as saying.

The renewed focus on emigration comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government continues to revisit proposals encouraging Gazans to relocate abroad.

Israeli officials have emphasized that migration is voluntary, arguing that Palestinians should have the option to move elsewhere if they choose.

In February 2025, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the creation of a special unit within his ministry tasked with managing what he called the “voluntary transfer” of Gaza residents to third countries.

The security cabinet approved the initiative the following month, stating it would align with “the vision of US President Donald Trump.”

At the time, Katz said Israel was committed to implementing that vision and ensuring that any Gaza resident wishing to relocate could do so.

He explained that the new body would coordinate with international organizations and relevant government agencies under political leadership, and would oversee logistical arrangements for departures.

Katz also argued that Gazans should have the same freedom of movement as people elsewhere.

“I welcome the bold plan of US President Donald Trump,” he said. “Residents of Gaza should be able to exercise freedom of exit and migration like anyone else. The plan will include options for departure via land crossings, as well as special arrangements by sea and air.”

He slammed Hamas for preventing civilians from leaving, noting that the group uses the population as human shields, embeds infrastructure within civilian areas, and restricts movement while exploiting humanitarian aid.

Despite Israel’s stated goal of facilitating mass migration from Gaza, the number of monthly departures remains small.

Reports indicated that talks have been held with a number of countries which could host the migrants, including Indonesia, Uganda, South Sudan, Libya, and Somaliland, though none have publicly agreed to receive significant numbers of Gazans.

With official efforts stalled, an Associated Press investigation found that the Israeli right-wing group Ad Kan had quietly helped arrange flights for Palestinians leaving Gaza for destinations including South Africa and Indonesia.

According to the report, at least three flights since May 2025 transported hundreds of Gazans abroad through an organization called Al-Majd, which presented itself as humanitarian while concealing its Israeli connections.

Trump’s earlier proposal to relocate Gaza’s population and redevelop the area as a “riviera” was widely condemned internationally and later downplayed.

His subsequent 20-point peace plan, unveiled in September 2025, called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, Hamas’s disarmament, reconstruction, and a transitional governance arrangement under international oversight. It also emphasized encouraging Palestinians to remain in Gaza and rebuild, while maintaining their right to leave the area.