Dr. Mohammad Abdallah Khamis Alyakhri

As the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold, it has become increasingly clear that some members of the Israeli government harbor unsettling plans for the future of the region. While the lack of a concrete strategy for Gaza has been a point of contention, recent developments and statements suggest that there is a disturbing undercurrent – a preference for the displacement of not just Hamas but also a significant portion of Gaza's population.

The calls for population transfers began well before the devastation that currently engulfs Gaza. Proposals to relocate Gazans to Egypt's Sinai region were floated just days after a tragic incident involving Hamas in October. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich went further, advocating for the voluntary emigration of Gaza Arabs to various countries worldwide. Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel endorsed a similar idea, framing it as a humanitarian measure.

Reports indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tasked Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer with developing a plan to "thin" Gaza's population by encouraging mass departures. Netanyahu allegedly sought international support, urging leaders like President Biden to press Egypt to admit hundreds of thousands of Gazan refugees.

While some officials downplayed or denied these reports, recent statements from Israeli leaders suggest that the talk of Palestinian departures from Gaza is gaining momentum. At a Likud party meeting, Netanyahu acknowledged efforts to facilitate the "voluntary" departure of Palestinians, indicating that the government is actively seeking countries willing to take them in.

The ground reality in Gaza is already dire, with an estimated 85% of the population displaced. The humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding, exacerbated by damaged infrastructure and a housing crisis. The consequences are severe, with over 22,000 Gazans killed, 40% at risk of famine, and a quarter of the population potentially facing death due to disease or lack of medical care within the year.

The notion of a voluntary population transfer is particularly alarming in light of historical displacements of Palestinians, dating back to the nakba in 1948. Palestinians in Gaza are well aware that leaving could mean forfeiting their right to return, echoing past injustices when their families were denied the opportunity to return to their homes.

As Egypt and the Biden administration express opposition to relocating Gaza's people, some members of Israel's government believe Egypt may be vulnerable to pressure due to its substantial debt. The political landscape could also shift, as indicated by statements from figures like Nikki Haley, suggesting that Gazans should go to "pro-Hamas countries."

The chilling historical backdrop, coupled with the current humanitarian crisis, raises concerns about the fate of Gaza's people. The world must pay heed to the warning signs and actively work towards a just and humane resolution that respects the rights and dignity of the people caught in the crossfire. The international community cannot stand idly by as plans unfold that may result in the forced displacement of an entire population, echoing the painful echoes of history.

This echoes a chilling historical backdrop, where Palestinians in Gaza face the grim reality that leaving might mean never returning, mirroring the mass displacements of 1948 and 1967. Israel's leaders rarely express regret for these events and, at times, use them as precedent, issuing warnings reminiscent of the past.

The world has been warned, and as Gaza's tragedy unfolds, it is imperative for the international community to act. The human cost of an unspoken strategy, marked by population transfers and unlivable conditions, cannot be ignored. The focus must shift towards ending the conflict, rebuilding Gaza, and ensuring the rights and dignity of its people are preserved. The international community, including the United States, must play a pivotal role in advocating for a just and humane resolution to this crisis, rejecting any strategy that involves the forced departure of Gaza's population. When will the time for action begin? before more lives are lost, and Gaza becomes a symbol of a humanitarian catastrophe that could have been averted.