ISRAELI OFFICIALS SAID THEY DID NOT TALK TO OTHER COUNTRIES ABOUT THE LOCATION OF PALESTINE.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, January 3, 2024 18: 48, Updated: January 4, 2024 11: 23

People transport their belongings in an animal-drawn carriage as Palestinian refugees, who fled their homes due to Israeli attacks, take shelter in a tent camp in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, January 1, 2024, (Photo Credit: REUTERS / IBRAHIM ABU MUSTAFA)

There was no conversation about the planned relocation of Palestinians, although Ben-Gvir and Smotrich made comments.

An Israeli official said on Wednesday that Israel was not talking to other countries about plans for the voluntary relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, underscoring that it was unlikely to happen.

On Wednesday, the official responded to comments by Finance Minister of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich and National Public Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who apparently stated that Israel does not negotiate with any country on voluntary emigration. Options are being discussed.

The official stated that he was not aware of any private attempts to transport Palestinians to other countries, but this did not mean that any private efforts took place.

He stated that they did not belong to the circle and had never heard of it. He rejected reports of plans to absorb Palestinians in the Congo in this way.

"No country wants to absorb two million people, not one million, and not half a million," he said, stating that Palestinians did not want to leave Gaza voluntarily.

The official stated that although Smoltrich and Ben Gvir could talk about the relocation of Palestinians, they could not significantly discuss this issue.

He was speaking before a security-diplomatic cabinet discussion scheduled for Thursday that will discuss a" day-by-day plan" for Gaza drawn up by the National Security Council and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. The role of UNRWA will change.

Image:"Once presented, it will be made public," the official said, explaining that one aspect of the plan is the upcoming involvement of aid agencies and the UN.

The official stated that although at the moment no other organization can provide humanitarian assistance so effectively, in the future, other organizations will be preferred.

News Sorces : https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-780625