The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has condemned Israel’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s entire population into a militarized, enclosed area, describing the initiative as “inhumane” and warning it would result in large-scale forced displacement. This plan, announced by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday, aims to establish a fenced camp in southern Gaza, specifically on the former site of Rafah. Katz indicated the facility would initially accommodate 600,000 Palestinians displaced by the conflict, eventually expanding to encompass over 2 million people from the enclave. He stated that entry for Hamas members would be barred and that residents would be restricted from leaving.
Over time, the plan suggests residents may “voluntarily emigrate” to other nations, with Katz arguing the scheme provides the Israeli military enhanced capacity to engage Hamas elsewhere in Gaza. Although Katz mentioned potential future management by international bodies, he did not specify which organizations might be involved. Sources suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the initiative and allegedly remarked indifferently on inmates’ welfare by saying they could be provided with ice cream. UNRWA communications lead Tamara Alrifai criticized this idea, stating confining people under military watch behind barriers is far from humanitarian.
She further argued that calling it a “humanitarian city” misrepresents its true nature. Alrifai cautioned that the plan would transform Gaza into the world’s most densely packed and controlled camp, already likened to an “open-air prison.” Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, labeled it as creating an “overcrowded camp,” advocating instead for a lasting ceasefire, hostage releases, continuous humanitarian aid, and renewed support for a two-state solution. The proposal has elicited widespread condemnation from rights groups and commentators, some comparing it to a concentration camp and accusing Israel of orchestrating a large-scale Palestinian eviction. The Israeli military initiated its Gaza campaign in October 2023 following a violent Hamas attack.
Reports indicate the Israel Defense Forces have since killed nearly 57,800 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, which has led to accusations of genocide against the Israeli government.
