An official document from the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence has surfaced, revealing a recommendation for the forcible and permanent transfer of the Gaza Strip's 2.2 million Palestinian residents to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
The 10-page document, dated October 13, 2023, outlines three options regarding the future of Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict and suggests a full population transfer as the preferred course of action.
The document, bearing the logo of the Intelligence Ministry, an entity responsible for policy research and proposals, suggests evacuating the civilian population to Sinai during the current war, establishing tent cities and later permanent cities in northern Sinai, and creating a sterile zone within Egypt to prevent the return of the population near the Israeli border.
This controversial proposal, if implemented, could constitute a serious war crime under international law.
While the document does not necessarily imply that its recommendations are being considered by Israel's defence establishment, it highlights the elevation of forced population transfer to official policy discussions within the Israeli government.
The Intelligence Ministry, with an annual budget of NIS 25 million and led by Gila Gamliel of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, operates independently, producing studies and policy papers for government and security agencies.
The existence of this plan has raised concerns, especially after the recent evacuation order for about 1 million Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, preceding escalated bombardment and ground incursions.
The document proposes a staged approach, involving the evacuation of Gaza's population southward, a ground incursion to occupy the entire Strip, and the simultaneous transfer of Palestinian civilians to Egyptian territory, with strict restrictions on their return.
The Intelligence Ministry's recommendation includes the implementation of a campaign targeting Palestinian civilians to motivate them to accept the plan, focusing on the loss of land and creating an image that leaving is the only viable option due to Hamas' leadership.
It is crucial to note that the authenticity of the document has been confirmed by the ministry, but its recommendations are not binding. The ministry's research is not based on military intelligence but serves as a basis for discussions within the government.