How do Palestinians see their future in Gaza and how do they see them as seeking voluntary migration or migration from the strip?
In the move that sparked widespread controversy at the time, the Israeli government announced several months ago that it had approved a plan to establish a special division to organize what it described. “Safe and voluntary migration” of Gaza residents to foreign countries.
This was done in the above context 20 Month War In Gaza, following Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel, Israelis killed around 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages.
The decision was based on a proposal submitted by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and was subsequently approved by the Israeli Cabinet.
According to a statement issued by his office, the new department will be tasked with coordinating the transfers in cooperation with international organizations and stakeholders.
The tasks include overseeing the departure organization from the Gaza Strip intersection, carrying out necessary security checks, and developing infrastructure that enables third countries to travel by land, sea and air.
The announcement of the plan coincided with increasingly worsening Internal displacement crisis In Gaza for an ongoing war.
Human rights and humanitarian organisations warn of the political and social consequences of these policies. They say it is considered a prelude to a forced displacement scheme under the guise of being “spontaneous.”
Older policy updated: Dayan to Netanyahu
The intention to depopulate Gaza was not linked to anything new only with recent wars. In fact, it goes back decades.
After the capture of Gaza on June 12, 1967, Israeli Security Minister Moshe Dayan described the strip as a “complex issue” and demonstrated a negative perception of Israeli region.
During the signing of the Oslo agreement in the 1990s, the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin expressed his desire to “go to the sea or own it there” and to separate the Gaza Strip completely from Israel.
In the recent war, diplomacy leaks revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had proposed to establish a humanitarian corridor to “relocate Gaza residents to Egypt” in a meeting with former US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on October 12, 2023.
The proposal was met with the first reservation by the US. It was followed by a more severe statement from Strategic Issues Minister Ron Dahmer, who said, “Without civilians there would be no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
As the war intensifies, the first displacement and increased stories of migration
After the outbreak of the war in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7 attack, more than 120,000 Palestinians (mainly double citizens) were able to pass through Rafa’s lands, crossing towards Egypt and other countries.
It is estimated that Gaza’s double citizens are around 300,000. This reflects a considerable foundation of a population with theoretically options to leave.
As Israel’s military operations intensify, the scope of destruction expands; Hunger has reached a catastrophic level. There was an increasing number of talk among Gazan about migration as a way to escape the war.
Meanwhile, a voice comes out, which adamantly rejects the idea and insists on staying on the strip despite intense death and worsening humanitarian conditions. This reflects the deep social sector regarding the future of Gaza and its inhabitants in the ongoing war.
Despite the artillery fire, the Palestinians refuse to move.
In a simple tent in Deial Bhara in the Gaza Strip, 34-year-old Mohsen al-Ghazi (34) is kicked out of the Jules Al-Dik area and sits and tells his story. It resembles that of the thousands of Palestinians whose lives were destroyed under Israeli artillery fire.
Al Ghazi lost his home, his eldest son was killed and his parents died under the tiled ble of the house, but he insisted on staying in Gaza and defied the idea of immigration.
“I will not leave this land,” he says. “Dieting here is easier than giving the occupation a chance to satisfy that lie.”
He emphasizes that his position does not stem from feelings, but from religious, patriotic and moral beliefs. He even rejects a large number of ideas for Exodus.
“Even if the profession sends a ship to transport us, I will not leave.”
Algazi expressed regret to young people considering immigration under the weight of their suffering, stressing that “individual salvation means abandoning their responsibility to protect this land.”
“How can I repeat the mistakes? Nakba Will you voluntarily leave our home? ”
At Nuseirat Camp, 45-year-old Sami Al-Dali reflects the same attitude. “Displacement is a failed Israeli project and I am not a stone on that wall.”
He believes that the suffering of the residents does not justify abandonment, but he denounces those who have decided to leave, saying, “To each of him, and the person who leaves, may return or serve the cause from abroad.”
Al Ghazi and Al Dhali agree that the evacuation project sought to be imposed by the Israeli government failed in the face of Palestinians’ attachment to their land.
“Tell the world that we are people who chose to die on our land and not sell it,” said Al Ghazi, but Al-Dhali emphasized that “all the stones here are testimony that Palestine is not for sale.”
Gaza displaced people: “We can’t take that anymore.”
In light of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the worsening humanitarian situation, Bilal Hassanin believes that despite the difficult options for immigration, it has become a “urgent need.”
Hassanin, who lost his family’s home and had difficulty avoiding a number, is on a crutch after being injured near Netzarim. He states: “I lost everything. I can no longer complete my university studies, food, water and electricity.”
“The Gaza Strip has been destroyed and the chances of building a future here are decreasing every day.”
Hassanin adds that his dream is to find a safe environment outside of Gaza, allowing him to regain his life and realize his dreams.
The same vision is shared by Zakaria Farajallah, who has been injured three times, causing problems with foot tendons, brain and digestive disorders.
“Through my medical files, I am trying to get treatment opportunities overseas. I will use this exit to seek asylum as the Gaza Strip has become a scary and impossible location.”
Farajara’s wife, Hanin Akul, also emphasizes that she will not be able to stay, especially as she is pregnant and caring for the other two children. She said: “We’ve lost our homes and are traveling from one kind of displacement camp to another. My husband’s injuries have increased our suffering.”
“We need to travel urgently for a safe environment for us and our children.
Hanin, who holds a bachelor’s degree in laboratory medicine, said he hopes that leaving Gaza will give him the opportunity to build a more stable future for his family.
Official and international warnings
Israel’s plan for Gazan’s voluntary migration is filled with widespread rejection of Palestinians and international warnings.
Hamas described what was promoted under the name “voluntary migration” as a forced displacement scheme aimed at “liquidating the Palestinian cause” and emptying Gaza for its residents.
Similarly, the United Nations confirmed that “voluntary migration” is unjustified in the context of war, and pointed out that forced evacuation is a crime under international law.
Human Rights Groups, including the Human Rights Clock and UNRWA, have warned that Israel’s plans are threatening to replicate Nakba. They sought the Palestinians to stay in their lands in such a way that they were respected, rather than forcing them to leave under pressure and hunger.
