Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the construction of a large-scale camp in the southern Gaza Strip, which is to house about 600,000 displaced Palestinians. This was reported by Israeli media, quoted by DPA, BTA reports.
According to Katz, the aim of the initiative is to weaken the influence of the "Hamas" group over the civilian population in the blockaded coastal enclave. The plans include the creation of the so-called "humanitarian city" on the ruins of the city of Rafah, much of which has been destroyed in the ongoing conflict.
The camp will will relocate hundreds of thousands of Palestinians currently living in tents in the Al-Mawasi area. The project will be implemented within the framework of a 60-day ceasefire, which is the subject of negotiations between Israel and “Hamas“.
Katz specified that the area will be managed by international partners, which have not yet been announced. The Israeli army will only provide security. Anyone entering the camp will undergo security checks to prevent the infiltration of “Hamas“ fighters.
The Israeli minister stressed that the camp is part of a broader strategy that could help Palestinian residents leave Gaza. An idea that critics define as a form of forced displacement. The Israeli government has repeatedly expressed support for “voluntary emigration“ of a large part of the enclave's population.
Currently, over 2 million people, most of whom have lost their homes as a result of the war. According to DPA, no country has yet expressed its willingness to accept Palestinian refugees from the region.