A controversial Israeli proposal to forcibly relocate much of Gaza’s population into a militarily controlled enclave near the Egypt border is jeopardizing efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The plan, initially floated by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, envisions forcing up to two million Palestinians into a so-called “humanitarian city,” drawing fierce criticism from Palestinians, international legal experts, and even Israeli commentators who warn it may amount to war crimes.

Israel’s “Humanitarian City” Plan Sparks International Outcry

The Israeli proposal, revealed in recent briefings to journalists and foreign officials, seeks to create a militarily controlled zone in southern Gaza that would initially house 600,000 people but could eventually contain Gaza’s entire population of around two million. Located near the Gaza-Egypt border and under Israeli military oversight, the enclave would effectively trap displaced Palestinians in what officials have described as a permanent arrangement.

Defense Minister Israel Katz has framed the plan as a humanitarian solution to house displaced civilians, but legal experts have condemned it as a clear violation of international law. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, the forcible transfer of civilians during wartime constitutes a war crime. In a letter addressed to Katz and Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israeli scholars warned the plan could amount to crimes against humanity and, under certain conditions, even genocide.

“The plan would constitute a series of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and under certain conditions, could amount to the crime of genocide,” the letter stated, highlighting the legal and moral gravity of Israel’s proposed course of action.

Hamas Says Plan Blocks Progress Towards Truce

Hamas has pointed to the proposed displacement as a major stumbling block in ceasefire negotiations. Senior Hamas leader Husam Badran denounced the idea as a deliberate effort to sabotage talks, describing the planned enclave as “a ghetto” and vowing that no Palestinian would accept such a solution. “This is utterly unacceptable, and no Palestinian would agree to this,” Badran said, emphasizing that the proposal aims to entrench Israeli military control and permanently bar Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza.

The proposal has inflamed already fraught negotiations, with Hamas demanding Israeli troop withdrawals from most of Gaza during any ceasefire, while Israel insists on maintaining military presence in key areas. Israel also wants Hamas to commit to disarmament, a demand the group flatly rejects.

Netanyahu’s Washington Visit Fails to Break Deadlock

Hopes for a breakthrough had briefly surged after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington for meetings with President Donald Trump. Many anticipated a compromise would emerge, but Netanyahu returned to Israel with no progress reported. Observers believe Netanyahu is deliberately slow-walking negotiations for political reasons, using the proposed displacement plan as leverage to maintain Israel’s military presence in Gaza.

Sources familiar with Katz’s briefing say the plan envisions a “humanitarian city” surrounded by military checkpoints, with no freedom of movement for residents wishing to return north. Israeli critics have compared the proposal to a modern-day concentration camp, given its restrictions and the scale of the civilian population involved.

Legal and Humanitarian Concerns Mount

Human rights organizations and international legal experts warn that the forced displacement of Gaza’s population would violate fundamental principles of international law. The enclave would confine civilians indefinitely, preventing them from returning home and cutting them off from livelihoods, homes, and communities — criteria that meet the legal definition of forcible transfer and ethnic cleansing.

While Israeli officials have not formally announced the plan, its emergence in official briefings suggests it is under serious consideration. Critics warn that implementation would trigger global condemnation and potentially war crimes investigations at the International Criminal Court.

Ceasefire Negotiations at an Impasse

Negotiations remain stalled over key issues beyond the displacement plan. Hamas demands a permanent end to hostilities, while Israel insists on retaining the option to resume military operations. Disputes also persist over aid delivery mechanisms and the future governance of Gaza.

Israel’s plan to retain control of a significant southern portion of Gaza directly undermines Hamas’s demands and risks derailing any potential truce. The enclave would serve not only as a physical barrier but also as a symbolic assertion of Israeli control, further complicating an already intractable conflict.

Broader Implications for Gaza and the Region

The proposed displacement threatens to deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilians already face severe shortages of food, water, and medical care due to Israel’s ongoing siege. Critics argue the enclave would entrench Gaza’s fragmentation and create permanent conditions of displacement, mirroring tactics used in previous conflicts to redraw demographic and territorial boundaries.

Such a move could also inflame tensions across the region, undermining fragile ceasefire efforts and provoking broader instability.