Israel to Establish Special Unit for Gaza: Controversial Decision Sparks Global Reaction

middle east - Israel's Defense Minister announces the establishment of a special unit to relocate Palestinians in Gaza, causing uproar worldwide.

Israel to Establish Special Unit for Gaza

Israel's Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has decided to establish a special administration unit to relocate Palestinians in Gaza, according to Yediot Ahronot newspaper. The unit will include representatives from Israeli security agencies and other ministries. The plan offers comprehensive assistance, including special exit arrangements by sea, air, and land, for those in Gaza willing to voluntarily migrate to a third country. US President Donald Trump previously suggested that the US would take over Gaza and encouraged Palestinians to move to neighboring countries for new settlements. However, Egypt's Foreign Minister Bedr Abdulati emphasized at the "Global Alliance Meeting for the Two-State Solution" in Cairo that they reject the forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands. Abdulati reiterated the commitment to a two-state solution, emphasizing the need for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. In a separate development, Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly signed a decision to seize around $90 million of tax revenues belonging to the Palestinian Authority. The funds are intended to be redirected to victims of terrorism and their families, aiming to prevent the Palestinian Authority from rewarding terrorists. The Palestinian government uses tax revenues to pay public salaries, constituting 65% of total state revenue. Since 2019, Israel has been deducting funds over the Palestinian Authority's payments to prisoners and ex-prisoners, resulting in a significant reduction in revenue. Meanwhile, as the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas continues, Israel is expected to receive the bodies of four Palestinians before the 7th exchange of prisoners. In this upcoming swap, efforts are being made to release six prisoners instead of three, as initially planned, following the previous exchange where 25 out of 33 living prisoners were freed, and the bodies of 4 deceased prisoners were returned to Israel.