Israel still wants to remove Palestinians from Gaza, defence minister says
The United States military struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles at an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer in the Middle East. Simultaneously, Washington denied Iranian claims that Tehran struck an uncrewed American military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz during a week of renewed hostilities. These military escalations unfold as Israeli ministers continue pushing schemes to remove Palestinians from Gaza, despite international reluctance to take the plans seriously. Meanwhile, White House peace envoy Kushner acknowledged that demilitarizing the Gaza enclave will be exceptionally difficult and complex.
What changed
United States forces struck three Iranian oil tankers in direct retaliation for missile attacks targeting American warships.
Live updates
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Israel Still Pursues Gaza Removal Plans as US Deploys Strikes
The United States military struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles at an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer in the Middle East. Simultaneously, Washington denied Iranian claims that Tehran struck an uncrewed American military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz during a week of renewed hostilities. These military escalations unfold as Israeli ministers continue pushing schemes to remove Palestinians from Gaza, despite international reluctance to take the plans seriously. Meanwhile, White House peace envoy Kushner acknowledged that demilitarizing the Gaza enclave will be exceptionally difficult and complex.
Why it matters
These events connect an escalating maritime conflict between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz with ongoing regional fallout regarding the future of Gaza. While Israeli leadership openly discusses plans for Palestinian displacement and emigration, international observers debate the credibility and global response to these proposals. The physical demilitarization of the territory further complicates long-term diplomatic efforts by Washington.
What is confirmed
- The United States struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles at an aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer.
- The U.S. military denied that Iran struck an uncrewed American military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the claim a total lie.
Still unconfirmed
- Schemes to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza are promoted by mainstream Israeli ministers rather than fringe voices, though the international community continues to ignore them.
- White House peace envoy Kushner stated that demilitarizing Gaza is beyond comprehension and will not be easy as Washington begins to understand the required steps.
What to watch next
- Further military escalations or retaliatory actions between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Official policy clarifications from Washington regarding Israeli proposals for Palestinian emigration from Gaza.
- Concrete international measures or diplomatic responses to Israeli ministerial plans for the territory.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.yahoo.com — U.S. strikes Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for Iran targeting warships
- www.arabnews.com — Frankly Speaking: Britain breaks with the past — but is it enough?
- www.azernews.az — Yerevan wants new diplomatic chapter - its opposition is undermining it
- www.ksat.com — US denies Iran's claim to have struck an unmanned ship, and other Mideast news
- www.theguardian.com — Israeli ministers keep telling everyone their brutal plans – so why doesn’t the world take them seriously?
- www.jns.org — Kushner: Demilitarizing Gaza ‘not going to be easy’
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US Ambassador denies plan to force Palestinians from Gaza
The US ambassador to Israel states there is no plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza, contradicting previous claims from Israeli officials. This denial arrives as Israel continues to seek US support for Palestinian emigration. Defense Minister Israel Katz previously asserted that Israel is prepared to facilitate such removals once President Donald Trump allows, while Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed a voluntary plan targeting 1.86 million people. The US position remains a critical hurdle for Israeli leadership, who argue migration is the only real solution for the territory.
Why it matters
Israel has internally developed plans for large-scale Palestinian emigration from Gaza. These efforts coincide with a UN report warning that forced displacements in West Bank refugee camps in January 2025 could be crimes against humanity.
What is confirmed
- The US ambassador to Israel says there is no plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza.
Still unconfirmed
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir unveiled a voluntary emigration plan targeting 1.86 million Palestinians.
What to watch next
- Official response from the Israeli Defense Ministry to the US ambassador's denial
- Further directives from President Donald Trump regarding Palestinian migration
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- www.timesnownews.com — US-Iran War LIVE: Iran Seizes Vessel Carrying 382,000 Litres Of Smuggled Fuel, 11 Arrested
- www.france24.com — Mideast live: Trump says Iran war is 'small potatoes' for US
- nz.news.yahoo.com — Israel's West Bank camp displacements could be crime against humanity, UN says
- www.middleeasteye.net — Miliband calls Gaza situation ‘horrific’, says UK must act more decisively
- www.prospectmagazine.co.uk — ‘They want us out of Palestine’: On the ground in the West Bank
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — US ambassador to Israel says there is no plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza
- www.azernews.az — Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau erupts as activity continues
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Israel Seeks US Support for Gaza Population Removal Plans
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel is organized and prepared to facilitate the emigration of Palestinians from Gaza by any means as soon as US President Donald Trump allows. Katz stated there is no real solution for Gaza without this migration. Simultaneously, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has unveiled a voluntary emigration plan targeting the removal of 1.86 million Palestinians. While Katz claims the plan is currently frozen by Trump, Israel continues to seek US support to execute the removals.
Why it matters
The proposal involves the large-scale displacement of Gaza's population, a move that has drawn global condemnation. These plans are being pushed by high-ranking Israeli officials amid ongoing conflict and a fragile ceasefire. The strategy relies heavily on the political alignment and approval of the US administration.
What is confirmed
- Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Israel will facilitate emigration from Gaza by any means once Donald Trump allows it.
- Katz described the removal of the population as the only real solution for Gaza.
- Israel is seeking support from Donald Trump for the plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza.
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir presented a voluntary emigration plan aimed at removing 1.86 million Palestinians from Gaza.
Still unconfirmed
- Itamar Ben-Gvir is planning a 20 billion dollar project to ethnically cleanse Gaza within seven years.
- Donald Trump previously proposed the removal of most of the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip.
What to watch next
- Official response or directive from Donald Trump regarding the frozen emigration plan
- US Congressional action on defense bills affecting military technology ties with Israel
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (20)
- The Times of Israel — Katz: Israel will facilitate emigration from Gaza ‘by any means’ as soon as Trump allows
- Ynetnews — Netanyahu tours Gaza front as Katz says emigration plan remains on the table
- France 24 — Israel ‘organised and prepared’ to remove Gaza population if US gives green light, Katz says
- The Guardian — Israel ‘seeking Trump’s support for plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza’
- Al Jazeera — Israel still wants to remove Palestinians from Gaza, defence minister says
- Ynetnews — Ben-Gvir revives failed Gaza emigration plan in campaign push that could complicate Israel
- Egypt Today — Ben-Gvir revives Gaza emigration plan in election campaign push despite global condemnation
- The Times of Israel — Katz: Israel ready to facilitate emigration from Gaza, but Trump has ‘frozen’ plan
- Middle East Eye — Ben Gvir set to unveil $20bn plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza within seven years
- Haaretz — Top Democratic Senator Slams 'Confirmed' Israeli Plan to Ethnically Cleanse Gaza
- Democracy Now! — Israeli Defense Minister Seeks Trump’s Support for Plans to Expel Palestinians from Gaza
- The Times of Israel — Ben Gvir unveils 'voluntary emigration' plan aimed at removing 1.86 million Palestinians from Gaza