In an unprecedented move, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced the establishment of a dedicated governmental administration to facilitate the voluntary migration of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The initiative, which has been a point of intense discussion among Israeli leadership, aims to reshape the region's geopolitical landscape and address what Smotrich describes as an unrelenting security threat posed by Hamas and its supporters.
“This is a historic opportunity,” Smotrich declared on Sunday at a Land of Israel Caucus meeting at the Knesset. “We are launching a migration administration, fully supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Budgetary constraints will not stand in our way.”
A Strategy Rooted in Realism and Security
The finance minister underscored the deep-seated animosity harbored by Gaza’s population against Israel, a sentiment he argued renders coexistence untenable. Smotrich cited discussions with sources within the U.S. government who acknowledge that maintaining two million hostile residents at Israel’s doorstep is an ongoing and unacceptable risk.
Trump’s Gaza Plan Taking Shape
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 9, 2025
Israel’s Treasury Secretary Bezalel Smotrich updates:
“The plan is taking shape. There is now action with the U.S. administration to locate countries for Gazan emigration. Preparations are underway to establish a large immigration administration… pic.twitter.com/4HhGp2QpqA
His remarks align with the vision championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long advocated for the large-scale relocation of Gazans and the transformation of the region into a “Riviera of the Middle East.” The ambitious blueprint envisions the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of Gazans, paving the way for a secure and economically revitalized area.
“If we facilitate the departure of 5,000 people per day, we can achieve a meaningful change within a year,” Smotrich projected. “The logistics are complex, and we must carefully determine the destinations for those leaving. This is not just about numbers—it’s about shaping history.”
השר סמוטריץ' בשדולת ארץ ישראל: תכנית טראמפ קורמת עור וגידים, בודקים מדינות שיקלטו הגירת עזתים
— ערוץ כנסת (@KnessetT) March 9, 2025
"התכנית קורמת עור וגידים, יש פעולה מול הממשל לאתר את המדינות", כך אמר יו"ר הציונות הדתית, "זה מבצע לוגיסטי ענק - לא רק האוטובוס שלוקח אותם, צריך לדעת מי הולך, לאיזו מדינה, איזה גילאים,… pic.twitter.com/HSU65hn2FS
Far-Right Coalition Pushes for Permanent Security Measures
Joining Smotrich in his call for large-scale voluntary migration is Settlements and National Projects Minister Orit Strock, a key figure in the Religious Zionism party. Strock asserted that a long-term solution to the Gaza crisis is unattainable without a significant demographic shift.
Strock emphasized that the security threat posed by Gaza cannot be eliminated without a fundamental change,” saying that: “a voluntary migration plan" [is the only sustainable way forward].
The Land of Israel Caucus held a conference at the Knesset on Sunday, to discuss the Trump plan for the voluntary relocation of residents from the Gaza Strip.
— Netanel Worthy - נתנאל וורתי (@NetanelWorthy) March 9, 2025
Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced at the conference that, "To ensure that the high prices we paid and the… pic.twitter.com/Plknam05cv
Trump’s Endorsement and Israeli Military Preparations
The policy initiative gained further traction following a joint appearance between Prime Minister Netanyahu and former President Trump during the Israeli leader’s recent state visit to Washington. Trump reiterated his belief that Gazans have “no alternative” but to leave what he called “a big pile of rubble” left in the wake of Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hamas.
Shortly thereafter, Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that he had instructed the Israeli military to draft an operational framework to assist Gazans wishing to relocate voluntarily. “We are exploring all logistical and diplomatic avenues to enable a smooth transition for those who seek a better future elsewhere,” Katz said.
From Theory to Policy: Israel’s Next Steps
Smotrich, who has been one of the most vocal proponents of this initiative, previously stated his intent to turn Trump’s ideas about Gaza into actionable government policy. His ultimate goal, he has admitted, is the resettlement of at least half of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents over the next two years, setting the stage for Israel to reclaim security and stability along its southern border.
With the Israeli government now actively developing the infrastructure to implement this plan, the coming months could mark a dramatic turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether this initiative will gain traction on the international stage remains to be seen, but Israel appears resolute in its commitment to reshaping the future of Gaza—and, by extension, the future of the region itself.
