GAZA CITY — Amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, Palestinian families have begun quietly leaving the territory. It’s happening under the radar of media attention, and through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Are we witnessing what can be called “voluntary” forced displacement?
The departure of Gazans from the enclave is coordinated daily, with dozens of families leaving for Europe and other countries, benefiting from unprecedented Israeli facilities that allow them to travel via Ramon Airport in southern Israel to reunite with first-degree relatives in European countries.
For the latest news & views from every corner of the world, Worldcrunch Today is the only truly international newsletter. Sign up here.
According to exclusive sources for Daraj, these families, who had faced years of rejection and delays, have suddenly received approvals in recent weeks to leave Gaza, raising many questions about the timing and objectives of these Israeli processes.
Daraj contacted one of the families who recently arrived in the Netherlands. Mrs. Amal (a pseudonym) shared details of her journey, saying: “My husband has been residing in the Netherlands since 2019 and he’s always tried to get us out of Gaza. But all his attempts failed due to complex procedures. Then, we were surprised by a call from the International Committee of the Red Cross informing us to prepare for departure.”
She added that their journey began at dawn from the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. They were transported by Red Cross vehicles to the Kerem Shalom crossing, where the procedures went smoothly. They moved to Ramon Airport, then to Jordan and finally to the Netherlands.
Red Cross clarifies its role
Hisham Mehanna, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross, stated that the organization’s role is limited to escorting families from Gaza to the Kerem Shalom crossing, emphasizing that their intervention is “part of family reunification efforts for those with citizenship in European countries.”
Mehanna told Daraj that “the committee acts as a neutral intermediary and is not involved in encouraging voluntary migration.” However, this has not prevented speculation about possible coordination between Israeli authorities and other parties to carry out displacement operations.
Organized Israeli effort
The departure of some Gazan families coincides with intensified Israeli efforts to displace Palestinian residents. On March 24, Israeli Minister of Security Yisrael Katz announced the creation of a special department within his ministry to organize what he called the “voluntary exit” of Gaza residents to third countries.
According to a statement from the ministry, this entity will include representatives from government ministries and security agencies and will oversee a plan allowing any Palestinian wishing to leave to receive a “package” that includes travel arrangements by sea, air or land routes.
The project’s primary goal is to encourage long-term migration and resettlement abroad.
The Israeli report confirmed that this plan relies on cooperation with foreign countries, such as Indonesia, to which 100 Palestinians from Gaza have already relocated as part of an “initial trial,” under the supervision of Israeli government coordinator General Ghassan Alian.
Indonesian option
In this context, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that “100 Gaza residents left the Strip on Tuesday, March 25, most likely to work in the construction sector in Indonesia.”
The channel noted that this is an initial experiment under the supervision of the Israeli government coordinator in the occupied territories, General Ghassan Alian, as part of the plan to encourage voluntary migration.
The report emphasized that anyone leaving Gaza for work abroad has the right to return under international law. However, the project’s primary goal is to encourage long-term migration and resettlement abroad, which depends on Indonesian government policies.
According to the report, launching this pilot project was preceded by consultations with the Indonesian government, which doesn’t have official diplomatic relations with Israel. This required establishing a communication channel between the two sides.
A long-term project
This Israeli project is not an isolated initiative but part of a broader plan announced by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. He confirmed that the government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Security Yisrael Katz, is working on establishing a dedicated department to implement programs for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
During a recent Knesset parliamentary meeting, Smotrich stated that “the budget will not be an obstacle to implementing this project, despite its logistical complexities, because it is necessary to ensure Israel’s security.”
These Israeli moves come amid catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
Minister of Settlements and National Projects Orit Strook also supported the plan, considering it a “necessary measure to eliminate the security threat coming from Gaza.”
Media reports have also revealed discussions between Israel and the U.S. administration regarding implementing a plan to relocate Gaza residents out of the territory, an idea being pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has also boasted of turning the enclave into a “Riviera” coastal resort.
Displacement or forced migration?
According to Israeli sources, the goal of this plan is to displace at least 1.1 million Palestinians over the next two years in an attempt to bring about a fundamental demographic change in Gaza.
These Israeli moves come amid catastrophic humanitarian conditions, due to the ongoing war and severe blockade, making migration a forced option of survival for many. Reports indicate that the number of Gazans seeking to leave will increase as the economic crisis worsens and living conditions deteriorate.
While Israel describes this migration as “voluntary,” observers argue that the harsh conditions imposed on Gaza turn it into forced displacement under a humanitarian guise, as part of a systematic policy to empty Gaza of its residents and reshape its demographic landscape.
