PLO condemns Israeli plan to expel Gazans

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has condemned Israel's decision to establish an office promoting the displacement of Gaza's population, calling it a war crime and a violation of international law.

PLO Executive Committee member Ahmad Abu Holi stated that the exodus under current conditions of fire, bombing, famine, and destruction constitutes forced displacement, not voluntary migration. He accused Israeli leaders of attempting to empty the Gaza Strip and using “voluntary migration” as a smokescreen to deceive the international community and evade accountability. He called for their prosecution.

Abu Holi also warned that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is implementing measures to advance Jewish colonization in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Palestinian National Council President Rawhi Fattouh similarly condemned the Israeli project, denouncing the genocide, massacres, intimidation, and ethnic cleansing perpetrated against Palestinian civilians. He asserted that these actions are incompatible with the notion of “voluntary migration.”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Sunday the approval of an office within the Defense Ministry to organize “a voluntary transfer for Gaza residents who express interest in moving to third countries,” a plan reportedly supported by former US President Donald Trump, who allegedly advocated for the displacement of Gaza’s inhabitants to seize the territory.