Israeli minister calls for forced 'deportation plan' for Palestinians in Gaza

An Israeli minister has said that removing Palestinians from Gaza would rely on force rather than so-called "voluntary migration".

Likud Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi called the scheme a “deportation plan” in an online post on Tuesday, attacking attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara for allegedly demanding a legal review of the plan.

This contradicts previous claims by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jewish Power leader and former government minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who have tried to present what critics condemn as "ethnic cleansing" as "voluntary migration."

During a heated cabinet meeting on Monday, attorney general Baharav-Miara insisted that ministers consult her on the legality of US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to forcefully relocate Palestinians in Gaza to third countries. Trump made the proposal on 5 February while Netanyahu was visiting Washington. 

Her demand, however, was met with sharp criticism from senior Israeli officials.

Read more: Israeli minister calls for forced 'deportation plan' for Palestinians in Gaza