Israel’s “Humanitarian City” in Gaza: A Displacement Plan Disguised as Aid

Watan-The plan that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz tried to market under the name “Humanitarian City” was born a year and a half ago in the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).

The idea was simple: Israel moves the population from one area of Gaza to another, and on the way, it filters them. Those suspected of being affiliated with Hamas are not allowed to pass.

In the emptied land, the IDF carries out a deep cleansing operation — killing, arresting, and destroying.

The plan failed in the north: Displacement happened, but the filtering did not succeed. Recently, the plan was resurrected in the south, in the area between the Morag corridor and what used to be the Philadelphi corridor, now under a new and misleading name: “Humanitarian City”.

It’s a political deception more than a military plan.

According to news coming from Washington, President Trump is using his veto power. He isn’t concerned about the fate of the displaced but about the fate of the deal he wants to conclude (referring to the ceasefire-hostage exchange).

There are conflicting interests hiding beneath the surface of mutual flattery. I wrote previously about the two (Trump and Netanyahu) dancing around each other on a thin rope. They are still dancing as of this writing.

 The Plan as Presented to the U.S.:

As soon as a ceasefire begins, bulldozers enter the area to show the world and the Gazans that something new is happening.

A food center, clinics, hospital, and basic services are built.

In the next stage, 600,000 to 700,000 people, currently located in the al-Mawasi area, are allowed to move south — but only after thorough inspection.

The area they vacate is then “cleansed”, and hundreds of thousands more, currently living in what used to be Gaza City, Khan Younis, and the central camps, are relocated there.

In the final stage, Israel tells regional countries:

“We’ve eliminated Hamas. Gaza is no longer just our problem. Now it’s your turn.”

Israel Says “No Deportation” – But Others Don’t Buy It:

The plan does not include forced deportation, according to Israeli sources.

But Saudi and Emirati officials have reportedly warned Trump that any forced deportation would be completely unacceptable if he wants their money or support.

American officials asked: “How do you plan to implement this in 60 days?”

The Israeli answer, reportedly:“You don’t know Gazans. Mohammad carries the tent on his head, loads his family onto a donkey cart, and moves.” “You expect addresses and order like: Block A, Row B, Tent 123. That’s not how it works in Gaza.”

The Americans estimated it would take a month or more. But it ended within a week and a half. The speed was astonishing, and the images were horrifying. The damage outweighed any potential gain.

 Governance in the “New Rafah”:

The IDF prefers to call it “New Rafah”, and a local administration will be set up there, based on tribal/clan structures.

“Every weakening of Hamas strengthens the clans,” an Israeli source said. “Gaza is more tribal than the West Bank.” Clans will manage food distribution and clinic queues. Their people will not carry weapons.

 What if the Ceasefire Deal Fails?

If no deal is reached:

• Hostages will once again be abandoned.

• Netanyahu will face a frustrated and volatile U.S. president.

• Pressure to settle evacuated areas will increase.

• A military government may emerge in the remaining populated parts of Gaza.

“Since the Oslo Accords, we’ve oscillated between a Palestinian state and military rule,” said a senior Israeli official. “We’ve never been this close to the endpoint: full military rule.”

🔹 A Message from Damascus – Syria’s New Foreign Minister:

As’ad Hassan al-Shibani, Syria’s new foreign minister, appears to be around 38 years old.

• Black mustache and a neatly trimmed beard.

• Speaks English better than Israel’s own foreign minister.

• Wears an elegant blue suit, possibly tailored in Damascus, London, or Milan.

The transformation from jihadi to diplomat, from fugitive to official, seemed easy. He was surrounded by a group of well-dressed young men – aides or bodyguards. None of them carried a prayer rug. I saw him on June 11, two days before the Iran war, at a historic fortress near Oslo, Norway, during the “Oslo Forum” – a high-level diplomatic gathering.

 Syria’s New Image:

Ministers from Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and others were present. Al-Shibani gave a calm, patient speech. I approached him, introduced myself as a journalist from Israel. He shook my hand confidently and smiled but gave no verbal answer to my request for an interview.

His goal was to grant legitimacy to the new regime. “We have internal and external issues to solve. No enemies. No boycotts. Ready to talk to everyone — even Israel.”

 The Hidden Irony:

He was later seen meeting Abbas Araghchi (Iran’s former nuclear negotiator) at a central table, ignoring the crowd.

The message:“Look at us — we’re modern, rational, diplomatic. We are you.” But Araghchi didn’t know that within 36 hours, Iranian leaders would be assassinated, and military sites destroyed.

Al-Shibani probably didn’t know either. When Israeli warplanes flew east, Syria — like other Arab governments — closed its eyes. “Closing your eyes is part of the legitimacy campaign,” the author wrote. “A part of the test to join the community of nations. A temporary situation.”

Nahum Barnea
Yedioth Ahronoth – July 11, 2025