ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority countries have strongly rejected statements by Israeli officials suggesting the forced removal of Palestinians from Gaza, warning that any such move would violate international law and threaten regional stability.
The joint statement was issued by Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and another participating Muslim state, which condemned in the strongest terms proposals that would forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland.
The countries warned Israel against pursuing the proposals, saying any attempt to forcibly relocate Gaza’s population would constitute a serious breach of international law and fundamental human rights.
Gaza part of occupied Palestine
The statement also stressed that Gaza remains an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory, alongside the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The countries said maintaining the territorial and political unity of the Palestinian territories was essential to achieving a lasting settlement.
They further argued that the two-state solution remained the only viable path to ending the conflict and securing long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.
The countries called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and urged the UN Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities in advancing the cause of a lasting peace.
Reference to US-backed Gaza plan
The joint declaration also referred to a US-backed peace initiative for Gaza announced in October 2025, saying proposals for mass displacement were inconsistent with efforts aimed at ending Israeli military operations in the besieged territory and restoring peace.
It noted that US President Donald Trump’s plan had explicitly rejected measures intended to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homes.
Israeli officials outline displacement proposals
The statement followed comments by senior Israeli officials regarding the future of Gaza’s Palestinian population.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel was preparing plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, but that arrangements depended on securing US approval regarding possible destinations.
A day later, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the proposal envisaged removing around 250,000 Palestinians during the first year, followed by the displacement of the remaining population of roughly two million over the next six years.
However, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a prominent supporter of Israel and Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, rejected claims on Saturday that Israel had a plan to forcibly expel Palestinians from Gaza.
