Israel Plans to Set Up ‘Migration Administration’ for Relocating Gazans

Israel is working to establish a migration administration aimed at facilitating the relocation of Palestinian residents from the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The senior official, a key member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, made these remarks during a parliamentary conference held yesterday.

During the conference, Smotrich announced that preparations are underway to establish a migration authority within the Defence Ministry, which would oversee the mass relocation of Gaza’s population. He claimed that if 10,000 people were relocated daily, it would take approximately six months to move Gaza’s entire population of around 2 million people.

He also revealed that Israel is in discussions with the U.S. administration to identify potential destination countries willing to accept Gazan migrants. However, no specific nations have been publicly named.

Smotrich further referenced the “Gaza Riviera Plan,” an initiative reportedly introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump in early February 2025. The plan proposes:

• A U.S.-led takeover of Gaza,
• The mass relocation of its residents, and
• Transforming the region into a “Middle Eastern Riviera” for tourism and economic development.

The plan has sparked intense international criticism, with human rights organizations and Palestinian groups condemning it as forced displacement and ethnic cleansing. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several of his ministers have expressed support for the proposal.

The idea of mass relocation has drawn backlash from Palestinian leaders, who call it a violation of international law. The United Nations and multiple humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about human rights violations and the welfare of displaced civilians.

Additionally, Arab and Muslim-majority countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, have rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians, reiterating their stance that Gaza remains an integral part of Palestinian territory.

The logistics of relocating millions of people, securing international cooperation, and addressing geopolitical implications pose significant challenges. As Israel moves forward with its plans, diplomatic tensions between Israel, its allies, and neighboring nations may further escalate.