Israel advances ‘humanitarian city’ plan on Rafah ruins as Gaza ceasefire talks continue

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has ordered the military to accelerate planning for a “humanitarian city” to be built on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza—provisionally housing around 600,000 evacuees from the Al-Mawasi displacement zone, according to Israeli media citing a July 8 briefing.

The proposal, echoing earlier comments by U.S. President Trump, would involve security screenings to exclude Hamas-affiliated individuals, and initially trap residents inside the enclosure, with eventual plans to include Gaza's full population of over 2 million.

Human rights advocates warn that, despite being described as a protective measure, the confined nature of the “city” could amount to forced displacement and breach international law.

Critics argue that the conditions negate any claim of voluntary residency, while officials emphasize Israel's intent to offer options for Palestinians to emigrate abroad—though no country has publicly agreed to such resettlement.

The unfolding plan comes amid ongoing indirect ceasefire negotiations in Doha. Qatari mediators have signaled that agreement on a temporary 60-day truce remains distant, even as attacks continue—killing Palestinians and Israeli soldiers.

Proposed terms include phased hostage release and troop withdrawals, though military and humanitarian disagreements persist.

Rafah—once a rare haven for over a million displaced Gazans—has been severely battered by months of military operations.

Satellite data and humanitarian reports indicate around 16,000 structures have been destroyed, and essential services like electricity, water, and sewage systems are inoperative.

In parallel, a mass paramedic killing on March 23 in Rafah resulted in at least 15 aid workers killed amid what the Red Crescent and international observers termed one of the deadliest single attacks on humanitarian personnel in recent memory.

Efforts to relocate civilians to Al-Mawasi began as early as December 2023, but it remains heavily congested—home to hundreds of thousands without adequate food, water, or sanitation.

The latest plan would legally enclose displaced populations there, critics say, weakening their rights and humanitarian access.

The plan has triggered divisions within the Israeli government and military. While Defense Minister Katz supports the proposal, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and reservists have pushed back, warning it risks being legally indefensible and operationally problematic.

International voices—including the UK and UAE—have expressed alarm, arguing forced relocation of Palestinians would violate international law.