Smotrich says Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians to start within weeks

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said US President Donald Trump’s plan to forcibly transfer Palestinians from Gaza could start within weeks.

Speaking at a meeting with journalists on Saturday, the far-right minister confirmed that discussions with US teams have begun to implement the mass displacement plan.

"Preparations have started amongst our teams, alongside teams of the US President Donald Trump," Smotrich told reporters, according to Israel Channel 12. 

He explained that the plan involves two key components.

"One is to find countries that can receive people, and two, it's a huge logistical operation to take such a large number of people out of here."

Smotrich expressed confidence that the process would begin soon and that Palestinians would want to leave their homeland. 

"I think most of them will want to," he stated, adding that "it is a process that is going to start in the coming weeks, even if it starts at a slower pace, bit by bit it will gather speed and intensify".

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