US still searching for state to accept Palestinians from Gaza, Israeli cabinet told – The Jerusalem Post

US President Donald Trump’s administration was searching for countries willing to absorb and resettle Palestinians from Gaza, Israeli ministers were told during a cabinet meeting held on Saturday.

During the meeting, the security cabinet approved a proposal by Defense Minister Israel Katz to establish a voluntary migration office for Gaza’s residents who express interest in relocating to other countries.

“All will be per Israeli and international law and aligned” with Trump’s vision, Katz was quoted as saying.

The office, which is to be established within the Defense Ministry, will be under the direct responsibility of the defense minister and will have the authority to act in coordination with international organizations and other relevant parties, in line with the directives of the political echelon.

It will also coordinate the activities of all relevant government ministries in this regard.

Ensuring security during transit

Among other tasks, the office will prepare and enable a safe and controlled transfer of Gaza’s residents who wished to relocate.

This would include ensuring Palestinians’ security during transit, establishing designated travel routes and checkpoints for civilians at specific crossing points within the Gaza Strip, and coordinating the necessary infrastructure to facilitate travel by land, sea, and air to the destination countries.

During the cabinet meeting, Katz said, “We are using all available means to implement the vision of the US president and will allow any Gazan resident who wishes to relocate to a third country to do so voluntarily.”

The new office is scheduled to hold its first official meeting in the upcoming two weeks. An Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post that a person will be appointed to head the office in the coming two weeks as well.

One of the names mentioned is Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter.

According to a Gallup survey published in The Guardian, half of Gaza’s population was interested in relocating.