A senior Israeli official told reporters that Israel is in active talks with multiple countries about accepting Palestinians from Gaza as part of a long-term strategic shift in the region’s post-war future.

The disclosure came during a press briefing with reporters covering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s diplomatic visit to Hungary, making it likely that the “senior official” is Netanyahu himself. According to the official, while the United States is not currently pushing President Donald Trump’s Gaza relocation proposal, Israel is “very serious” about advancing it.

“There are countries interested,” the senior official said. “They want something in return — not necessarily money, but also strategic matters.”

The plan hinges on two immediate goals: the release of Israeli hostages and the elimination of Hamas. Only then, the official said, will there be “a possibility for wide-scale emigration,” citing an unnamed poll suggesting that 60% of Gaza’s population — around 2 million people — would consider leaving the enclave.

Arab states have so far rejected appeals to absorb Palestinian populations. Governments in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and others have argued that removing Gazans from their land risks deepening the crisis and simply exporting the conflict into neighboring countries.

The official did not confirm whether Gazans who leave would be allowed to return. Reports have already emerged of small groups of Gazans being required to sign documents relinquishing their right of return, citing the ongoing security situation.

The official further suggested that while Israel does not seek a permanent occupation of Gaza, it may “hold onto territory” to ensure long-term security control. The proposed future for Gaza would involve temporary governance by a “consortium of Arab countries,” particularly the Gulf states, who would manage the territory pending further arrangements.

That vision, however, has run up against a hard political wall: Arab participation has been conditioned on Israel granting a governance role to the Palestinian Authority and committing to a roadmap toward a two-state solution — a path Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected.

The official’s assertion that Arab nations will eventually acquiesce — and bankroll the post-war Gaza project — has strained diplomatic ties, especially with Gulf leaders frustrated by what they see as an unrealistic and unilateral approach.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)