Israel to build Humanitarian City to House Entire Gazan Population

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has announced an innovative plan to establish a "humanitarian city" in the southern Gaza Strip, designed to provide a safe and structured environment for Gaza’s population. Built on the site of Rafah, this initiative aims to improve living conditions for Palestinians while ensuring security and stability.

The humanitarian city will initially house approximately 600,000 displaced Palestinians, primarily from the Mawasi area northwest of Rafah, with plans to eventually accommodate Gaza’s estimated 1.9 million residents. The city will be managed by reputable international organizations, with the Israeli military providing external security to protect residents and maintain order.

Minister Katz emphasized that thorough screening processes will be implemented to ensure the safety of the city, preventing any infiltration by Hamas operatives.

This forward-thinking plan is designed to offer Palestinians a stable and secure environment, fostering opportunities for voluntary emigration to other countries for those seeking new prospects. The initiative reflects Israel’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian needs of Gaza’s population while maintaining strict security measures to safeguard both Palestinians and Israelis.

The humanitarian city is a proactive step toward rebuilding and stabilizing the region, offering modern infrastructure and access to essential services under international oversight. While the plan is in its early stages, Israel’s defense ministry is actively working to bring this vision to life, with careful consideration of logistical and humanitarian requirements.

This initiative follows Israel’s efforts to counter Hamas’ aggressive tactics, including the group’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages, of whom approximately 50 remain in captivity.