Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that his government continues to pursue a plan for large-scale Palestinian emigration from Gaza and is seeking renewed support from President Donald Trump to make it viable.

Speaking at a conference hosted by the Israeli news site Ynet and newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Katz described the effort as the only real solution for the enclave. He said the Israeli government stands ready to facilitate departures by sea, air, or any other means and emphasized that Trump has merely frozen the idea rather than abandoned it.

Katz noted that neighboring countries willing to accept Gazans require American backing to proceed. He pointed to Egypt's opposition and said Arab states had pressed Trump to pause the plan in exchange for other concessions, including investments and Hamas disarmament.

The comments come amid ongoing discussions within the Israeli government about Gaza's future following the 2025 ceasefire framework. That agreement, backed by the Trump administration, explicitly called for residents to remain in the territory and for redevelopment to benefit Gazans.

Earlier efforts to advance voluntary migration began in early 2025 after Trump publicly floated relocating Gaza's population. Israel established a Defense Ministry directorate to handle such departures and tasked the Mossad with identifying potential receiving countries. No agreements materialized, and Trump later shifted focus to a plan that kept Gazans in place.

Katz reiterated that the emigration option remains under active consideration and would advance when conditions allow. He tied its success to preventing Hamas from regaining power in the strip.

The proposal has drawn sharp international criticism, with rights groups labeling it ethnic cleansing. Israeli officials frame it as a necessary security measure to eliminate threats from the territory after years of conflict.