Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said Wednesday that plans to facilitate the emigration of Gazans remain on the table but are currently frozen following pressure from Arab countries on President Trump.
Speaking at a Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth conference, Katz said Israel is prepared to facilitate departures from Gaza by sea, air or other routes, but that the main obstacle is the lack of countries willing to receive Gazans without American backing. Egypt, he added, is unwilling to allow the departures through its territory.
Katz claimed that Arab countries approached President Trump and pushed for the plan to be frozen, offering investments and the disarmament of Hamas in return. According to Katz, President Trump has not abandoned the proposal but has temporarily put it on hold. “It wasn’t canceled,” Katz said, adding that discussions on the issue are continuing.
The defense minister said he believes the issue could return if Hamas fails to fulfill its commitments, arguing that American support would ultimately be required before the plan could move forward.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
