Israeli FM Saar rules out forced displacement of Gaza residents

September 10, 2026 at 02:15 PM2 min

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Wednesday that Israel will not forcibly expel or deport Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Speaking at a press conference in Ljubljana, he added that Israel would not prevent voluntary departure if another country agreed to accept them. The statement came after several Israeli ministers renewed calls for mass relocation of Gaza residents.

Key Facts

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on September 9, 2026, that Israel is not planning to expel or deport Palestinians from Gaza.
Saar said Israel would not oppose voluntary departure of Palestinians if another country agrees to accept them.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on September 2 that plans to facilitate mass departure of Gaza residents are still under discussion.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir presented a seven-year plan for relocation of Gaza residents on September 3, calling it 'voluntary emigration'.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee previously said Israeli authorities do not plan to force Palestinians to leave the enclave.

Saar's Statement

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar ruled out forced displacement of Gaza residents at a press conference in Ljubljana on Wednesday. He said Israel is not planning to expel or deport anyone from the Gaza Strip. Saar added that Israel would not prevent Palestinians from leaving voluntarily if another country agrees to accept them. The minister was in Slovenia for the opening of Israel's embassy in Ljubljana.

Cabinet Divisions

Saar's statement followed renewed calls by several Israeli government members for mass relocation of Palestinians from Gaza. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on September 2 that plans to facilitate mass departure of enclave residents are still being discussed. Katz said the initiative was temporarily frozen by US President Donald Trump but was not abandoned. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir presented a seven-year plan for relocation of Gaza residents on September 3, calling it 'voluntary emigration'.

US Position

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee previously stated that Israeli authorities do not plan to force Palestinians to leave the enclave.