Hamas has urged Arab and Muslim countries to oppose a proposal from two Israeli ministers to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and send them abroad. The call comes as Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir laid out a plan to see the departure of 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza in the first year, followed by the rest of the roughly two million residents over the following six years. Defence Minister Israel Katz also said Israel was ready to remove Palestinians from Gaza by sea and land but was waiting for the United States, which he said was discussing places for the population to go.
Hamas's Urgent Call to Action
In a statement, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem described the escalating statements by Israeli ministers as an 'extremely dangerous development'. He called on 'Arab and Islamic countries to take serious and unified action to confront these plans and adopt effective positions and measures to thwart them'. The forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
Context of the Proposal
The Israeli remarks come ahead of October 27 elections in which polls show a tight race for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has brought once shunned far-right ministers into his cabinet. Almost the entire population of Gaza has already been displaced internally in relentless Israeli bombing since the October 7, 2023 attacks led by Hamas, which were the deadliest ever against Israel and killed mostly civilians.
International Reactions and Background
US President Donald Trump previously proposed removing Palestinians from Gaza and turning the territory into a luxury resort, but he backtracked after pushback from countries including Egypt, the only country other than Israel to border Gaza. The proposal by Israeli ministers has not yet received a clear international response, but it has sparked significant concern among Palestinian advocacy groups and human rights organizations.
Why This Matters for Bangladesh
The situation in Gaza has global implications, including for Bangladesh. As a nation with a significant Muslim population and a history of supporting Palestinian causes, Bangladesh's stance on such proposals can influence regional and international diplomacy. Additionally, the principles of human rights and the prevention of forced displacement are universally relevant, resonating with Bangladesh's own experiences and values.
