The Israeli economic newspaper "Calcalist" has revealed a secret document outlining a plan to relocate the residents of the Gaza Strip to the Sinai Peninsula. The newspaper stated that Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamaliel is a strong supporter of this plan, recommending the transfer of Gaza residents to Sinai at the end of the ongoing war.
According to the Hebrew newspaper, after being quiet throughout the war, Gamaliel and her office suggested a firm course for the forced relocation of Gaza's population via an "internal document." The newspaper added that despite the public opposition of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to this plan, explaining that it would turn Sinai into a base for attacks against Israel, potentially dragging Egypt into a war with Tel Aviv and threatening the peace agreement between the two countries, the Israeli minister is determined to implement the plan and relocate Gaza residents once the war concludes.
The document obtained by the Hebrew newspaper carries the emblem of the Ministry of Intelligence and is used in discussions among Israeli government ministries. It noted that this document was not intended for public access but was leaked to a group currently establishing a Jewish movement called "Settlement Headquarters - Gaza Strip," which aims to reestablish Jewish settlement in Gaza.
Calcalist speculated that the document, which might not affect government policy, was drafted to support the emerging Jewish movement and its objectives, thus reaching them as well. In any case, this is seen as a direct continuation of the policy promoted by the government since its establishment.
The document outlines three alternatives for the post-war period, but the alternative "that will lead to positive and long-term strategic outcomes" is relocating Gaza's citizens to Sinai. The plan involves three stages: establishing tent cities in Sinai southwest of Gaza, creating a humanitarian corridor to assist the population, and finally constructing cities in North Sinai. At the same time, a buffer zone several kilometers wide will be established inside Egypt south of the border with Israel, preventing relocated individuals from returning.
Additionally, the document calls for cooperation with as many countries as possible to accommodate the displaced Palestinians from Gaza. The Hebrew newspaper refrained from publishing the names of the countries suggested for the relocation of Gaza's residents, which included Canada, European countries such as Greece and Spain, and North African countries among others.
The document has sparked international criticism, stating that this step is preferable to other options since fighting after evacuating the population would lead to fewer casualties. Furthermore, it claims that many Gaza residents requested to emigrate on the eve of the war.
The Hebrew newspaper pointed out that those unfamiliar with the government's structure and who have not seen the document might mistakenly think it reflects an official Israeli plan. However, there is a significant gap between the emblem of the Ministry of Intelligence and the actual influence of this small office on government policy, which has an annual budget of about 25 million shekels and does not oversee any intelligence or security agencies.
According to former Intelligence Minister and Knesset member Elazar Stern, "the ministry has no ministerial responsibility toward the intelligence agencies; they can consider recommendations, but they cannot enforce them."
President el-Sisi opposes the forced relocation of Gaza residents to Sinai, stating that such a move would turn Sinai into a base for attacks against Israel. Nevertheless, according to Gamaliel's document, Egypt is obliged under international law to allow the transfer of the population.
Recently, the Israeli think tank "Mizgav" revealed the details of the anticipated Israeli plan to relocate all residents of the Gaza Strip to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. The plan was published through a study titled "The Resettlement and Final Rehabilitation Plan in Egypt for All Gaza Residents: Economic Aspects," prepared by strategic analyst Amir Witztman.
The study included several key points that Israel relies on for the relocation of Gaza residents to Egypt, the most significant being the exploitation of Egypt's economic crisis by relocating these Palestinians to Sinai in exchange for "huge material benefits." According to the plan, there is a unique and rare opportunity to evacuate the entire Gaza Strip in coordination with the Egyptian government, emphasizing the need for an immediate, realistic, and sustainable plan for the resettlement and humanitarian rehabilitation of all Arab residents in Gaza in Sinai, which aligns well with the economic and geopolitical interests of Israel, Egypt, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.
