"We are not another star in American flag": Israel minister dismisses US criticism over emigration of Gazan civilians

In response to the US State Department's criticism of his call for Palestinians in Gaza to be relocated elsewhere, Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, defended his stance. Despite being in deep admiration of the United States, the Otzma Yehudit party leader insisted on Israel's sovereignty, stating that their decisions will not be dictated by the US. Even though he affirmed the US as Israel's strongest ally, he reiterated that their top priority will always be Israel's interests, such as ensuring tranquillity for residents in border areas.

The US had firmly opposed the Israeli Minister's comments concerning Palestinian displacement, considering them provocative and reckless. Reflecting this, Matthew Miller, the US State Department spokesperson, reaffirmed the US's persisting stance that Gaza is, and will continue to be, Palestinian territory. He also denounced recent comments from Israeli ministers advocating for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, describing their remarks as detrimental.

Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir's statements promoting the migration of Palestinian individuals, present this as a potential resolution to the lengthy Israeli-Palestinian conflict, allowing Israeli citizens in southern Israel to reclaim their homes. In contrast however, both the Israeli Prime Minister and the international community strongly oppose the idea of forced Palestinian "resettlement".

Two prominent far-right leaders in PM Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition endorsed the rebuilding of settlements in Gaza and the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians. Meanwhile, known hardliner Avigdor Liberman urged Israel to reclaim southern Lebanon.

Ben Gvir advocated that Gaza's strife offers a chance to facilitate the emigration of its inhabitants, while Smotrich viewed this as the "correct solution" to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. On the other hand, Netanyahu and other international voices have strongly resisted this particular solution for relocating Palestinians from Gaza.

The situation worsened following a Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in an onslaught by Israel targeting Hamas' infrastructure, striving to diminish the entire terror group and prevent civilian fatalities. Hamas reported over 20,000 fatalities in Gaza during the conflict, a figure which lacks verification. Meanwhile, Israel's troops have allegedly eliminated approximately 8,500 terrorists since the outbreak of war and another 1,000 Hamas terrorists in Israel following the October 7 attack.