Other participants in the meeting included: Director General of the Defense Ministry, Heads of the IDF’s Strategic, Intelligence, and Logistics Divisions, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Alon and additional senior military and defense officials.
Allowing Gazans to Leave Through All Border Crossings
Defense Minister Katz announced that he had directed the IDF to develop a comprehensive plan allowing any Gaza resident who wishes to leave to do so voluntarily, provided they can secure entry into a host country. “I have instructed the IDF to prepare a plan that will enable any Gazan who wishes to leave to do so and relocate to any country willing to accept them,” Katz declared. The plan is set to include: Exit options via land crossings and special arrangements for departures by sea and air.
Countries That Reject Gazan Refugees Will Expose Their Hypocrisy
Katz welcomed President Donald Trump’s initiative, stating that it could allow a large portion of Gaza’s population to relocate worldwide.
However, the Defense Minister also criticized countries such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which have repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza. “These countries are obligated under international law to accept any Gazan who seeks asylum. If they refuse, their hypocrisy will be exposed,” Katz remarked.
He further emphasized: “Hamas has exploited Gaza’s civilians as human shields and embedded terror infrastructure within the population. Now, it continues to hold them hostage, extorting money while diverting humanitarian aid and preventing their departure. Gaza’s residents should have the right to freedom of movement and emigration—just as people do elsewhere in the world.”
