US rejects Israeli suggestions of removing Palestinians from Gaza

What the report says

The United States has publicly rejected recent Israeli suggestions that Palestinians should be removed from Gaza, according to an Al Jazeera report published on 4 September 2026. A State Department spokesperson told Al Jazeera that Washington does not support any plan involving the forced displacement, expulsion or mandatory transfer of Gaza’s population.

The response came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said de-populating Gaza was the only “solution” to the crisis and argued that US President Donald Trump’s support for removing Palestinians had merely been paused, not abandoned. Al Jazeera reported that Katz described “migration” as necessary and said Israel was prepared to move Palestinians out by sea, air and other means. Rights advocates have said such proposals would amount to ethnic cleansing.

In its statement, the State Department pointed to Trump’s 20-point peace plan, saying it explicitly says no one will be forced to leave Gaza and those who depart should be able to return. The US also said it wants people to remain and help build a better Gaza. The disagreement is notable because Washington has generally been a strong supporter of Israel, while Arab governments have rejected any effort to uproot Palestinians from the territory.

The report also noted that the White House referred questions to Trump’s social media post about a separate agreement to disarm Hamas, Israeli withdrawal and an end to attacks in Gaza, though Israel has said it will not make concessions until the enclave is fully demilitarized.