The United States has rejected the recent statements from Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir advocating for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.
According to the statement released by the State Department Spokesman, Mathew Miller on Tuesday stated that this rhetoric is inflammatory and irresponsible.
“We have been told repeatedly and consistently by the Government of Israel, including by the Prime Minister, that such statements do not reflect the policy of the Israeli government. They should stop immediately.
“We have been clear, consistent, and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land, with Hamas no longer in control of its future and with no terror groups able to threaten Israel.
“That is the future we seek, in the interests of Israelis and Palestinians, the surrounding region, and the world”, the statement added.
Report has it that Finance Minister Smotrich, one of the senior figures in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, called on Sunday for Palestinian residents of Gaza to leave the besieged enclave.
National Security Minister Ben-Gvir also said the war in Gaza presented an “opportunity to concentrate on encouraging the migration of the residents of Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Palestinian Islamist group Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200, according to Israeli tallies while the Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 22,000 people, according to the local health ministry.