Israel’s Military: Gaza ‘Humanitarian City’ Could Jeopardize Hostage Negotiations
Israeli military officials have issued strong warnings over a government proposal to establish a large-scale “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza, cautioning that the plan could take months to implement and risk derailing fragile ceasefire and hostage negotiations with Hamas. The concerns were presented during a closed-door security cabinet meeting held Sunday at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) outlined logistical, operational, and diplomatic challenges surrounding the proposal, which was introduced last week by Defense Minister Israel Katz. The plan envisions relocating over 600,000 displaced Palestinians into a secured zone built on the ruins of Rafah, with the ultimate goal of housing Gaza’s entire civilian population of more than 2 million. According to media reports, military officials warned that it would take three to five months to construct and become operational.
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Top brass reportedly told ministers that while the IDF would carry out political directives, advancing the project now could send a message to Hamas that Israel intends to resume full-scale military operations following a proposed 60-day truce, potentially scuttling ongoing talks in Qatar. The military also voiced concern that the plan could weaken US assurances that Israel would not restart the war during negotiations, putting Washington-brokered deals in jeopardy.
Additional issues flagged by the IDF include the humanitarian and legal implications of holding civilians in a confined zone, the difficulty of providing adequate sanitation and medical care, and the broader impact on Israel’s international standing if the plan is seen as forced displacement.
While the military’s objections center on strategy and feasibility, global reaction to the proposal has been harsh. The United Nations, the UK government, and the Palestinian Authority have all condemned the plan. British Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said he was “appalled,” and urged that Palestinians must be allowed to return to their communities.
