Controversial plans to move Gaza’s population to Sinai face regional opposition, especially from Egypt. After cutting off humanitarian aid and electricity to the Strip, with water shut-offs expected to follow, Gazans may be encouraged to find another place from which to hate and attack Israel.

Israel has announced the establishment of a new government agency within the Defense Ministry dedicated to facilitating the relocation of Palestinian residents from the Gaza Strip. The move reflects a growing consensus within Israel that Hamas and its supporters can no longer remain in the Strip, where they have repeatedly used periods of ceasefire to regroup and prepare for future assaults. Many Israeli leaders now view the long-term presence of Hamas in Gaza as a security threat that must be permanently neutralized.

The new Israeli “migration administration” was revealed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during a parliamentary conference organized by the pro-settler “Land of Israel Caucus.” Smotrich explained that the agency’s purpose is to oversee and coordinate the voluntary emigration of Gaza’s approximately 2.2 million residents. He suggested that up to 10,000 people could be relocated per day, potentially clearing the Strip of its current population in about six months. The plan is part of a broader Israeli strategy to ensure that Hamas never again uses Gaza as a launchpad for attacks against Israel.

This initiative aligns with a broader push by both Israeli and U.S. officials to explore options for Gazans’ relocation. U.S. President Donald Trump has also suggested a “Gaza Riviera” proposal, envisioning a future in which the U.S. takes control of the territory, its current residents are resettled elsewhere, and the land is transformed into a prosperous coastal development zone. Trump has characterized Gaza as “prime real estate” and suggested that its residents could be relocated to other areas “a little bit away” from their current homes.

However, these proposals have sparked outrage across the Arab world. At a recent summit in Cairo, representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League issued a joint statement rejecting any forced resettlement plans. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has been particularly vocal in his opposition, arguing that any effort to displace Palestinians into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula would create an existential threat to Egyptian security and destabilize the region. Cairo has reiterated that it remains committed to a two-state solution, rather than any relocation efforts.

The recent establishment of Israel’s migration administration follows months of internal debate within the Israeli government over the future of Gaza. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained somewhat vague on his long-term vision for the Strip, several prominent figures within his coalition have been vocal about their desire to see Gaza depopulated. Defense Minister Israel Katz recently announced the creation of a special agency specifically tasked with facilitating the “voluntary departure” of Gazans to third countries. The agency is designed to provide logistical and financial assistance to residents who wish to leave, helping them secure visas and travel arrangements by land, sea, or air.

Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and Egypt have been rising over these proposals. In late February, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with a senior Egyptian official in Jerusalem. The meeting was described as “tense,” with the Egyptian representative making it clear that Cairo sees any effort to move Gazans into Sinai as a red line. Dermer reportedly responded by arguing that the Egyptian people themselves are less opposed to the idea than the government, an assertion that alarmed Cairo. Egyptian officials have since sought to arrange a follow-up meeting with Dermer in Egypt, hoping to make their case more forcefully.

The relocation debate has also contributed to broader tensions between Israel and Egypt over security issues in the Sinai Peninsula. Israeli officials have raised concerns about Egyptian military deployments along the Gaza border, accusing Cairo of violating the peace treaty between the two countries. Yechiel Leiter, a senior Israeli official, recently told U.S. Jewish leaders that Egypt has been “in serious violation” of the peace agreement by constructing bases that appear to be intended for offensive military operations. Cairo has dismissed these accusations, arguing that its troop movements in Sinai are aimed at countering jihadist insurgents and maintaining border security.

Beyond Egypt, the international community has reacted strongly against the idea of mass Gazan relocation. French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized the proposal, stating that it appears to be more of a real estate transaction than a legitimate political solution. Human rights organizations have also condemned the plans, warning that they amount to ethnic cleansing and violate international law. Palestinian leaders have vowed that their people will not leave Gaza under any circumstances, insisting that their right to their land is non-negotiable.

While Israeli officials have framed their migration initiative as a voluntary program, many critics argue that ongoing military operations and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza could force people to leave out of sheer desperation. The war has already displaced the vast majority of Gaza’s population, with thousands living in makeshift shelters or relying on limited humanitarian aid. Despite a temporary ceasefire, aid deliveries have been slow, with far fewer supplies reaching the Strip than were originally promised by international donors.

As discussions over Gaza’s future continue, Arab leaders have proposed alternative solutions that would allow Palestinians to remain in their homeland. Egypt, backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has presented a $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza. The initiative focuses on removing rubble, building temporary housing, and developing long-term infrastructure to ensure the territory remains habitable. Arab leaders argue that this approach is far more viable than any relocation plan, as it respects Palestinian self-determination and avoids the risk of creating a new refugee crisis.

Meanwhile, Israeli military officials remain focused on ensuring that Hamas does not regain power in the Strip. Many in Israel believe that the only way to achieve long-term security is to either dismantle Hamas entirely or prevent its members and supporters from remaining in Gaza. This view has only hardened in the wake of Hamas’s recent attacks, which Israeli leaders say have demonstrated beyond any doubt that the group will never coexist peacefully with Israel.

As a result, the Israeli government is moving forward with efforts to reshape Gaza’s demographic and political future, even as opposition mounts from neighboring states and the broader international community. Whether the newly formed migration administration will succeed in encouraging significant numbers of Gazans to leave voluntarily remains to be seen, but its creation signals that Israel is committed to pursuing this strategy despite the growing controversy surrounding it.