Since the onset of the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation forces have pursued plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from their homes. This became evident with the widespread displacement of residents from northern Gaza and Gaza City ahead of the ground invasion.
The indiscriminate bombings and destruction of residential neighborhoods by the occupation forced Palestinians to flee to central and southern Gaza. Simultaneously, the Israeli military fortified its presence in the so-called “Netzarim” area, effectively dividing the Gaza Strip and preventing displaced citizens from returning to their homes.
Massacres and repeated invasions in both northern and southern areas further exacerbated waves of displacement. Reports emerged of Israeli plans to expel Palestinians beyond Gaza’s borders.
Although the plan for mass forced displacement failed in the early stages of the current war, Netanyahu’s government did not conceal its ultimate goal of displacing Palestinians, particularly from northern Gaza, to pave the way for its settler-colonial project.
Forced Displacement of Palestinians
During the Israeli war on Gaza, calls to promote the forced migration of Palestinians were not limited to far-right figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Ministers from Netanyahu’s Likud party, including Netanyahu himself, openly expressed support for displacement plans. In a party meeting in December 2023, Netanyahu stated his intention to pursue “voluntary migration of Gaza’s residents to other countries.”
Observers confirmed that the occupation’s displacement plans failed repeatedly due to Palestinian resilience and their steadfast attachment to the land, in addition to Israel’s failure to achieve its declared war objectives.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Paula Gaviria Betancur, condemned the forced eviction orders, describing them as “a crime against humanity and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Israel continues to demand further displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, herding them in one direction toward the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.”
Palestinian Resilience on the Ground
The gathering of more than a million Palestinians in Rafah, at the southernmost point of Gaza, raised significant concerns about Israeli plans to displace them into Egypt. However, these plans faced widespread international rejection and unyielding Palestinian resistance on the ground.
Amid repeated scenes of displacement and the occupation’s relentless attempts to implement its forced migration agenda, Palestinian negotiators insisted on a separate clause in the ceasefire agreement ensuring the return of displaced persons to their homes. This was included as part of the ceasefire deal and the prisoner exchange agreement that began on Sunday, January 19.
As the war ceased, displaced Palestinians began preparing to return home, gathering their belongings and encouraging neighbors in displacement camps to do the same. Their eyes were fixed on stepping back into their neighborhoods, or what remained of them, to rebuild their lives amid the rubble.
The Bitterness of Separation
Awaida reflected, “When a war ends, things never return to the way they were. The destruction doesn’t just affect the land; it leaves scars on hearts and minds for years, if not decades. I hope those years won’t be too long.”
