Despite the continuous announcements and promises of mass voluntary migration from Gaza, there is still minimal movement. He may not want to take responsibility, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu certainly owes us some answers on this issue. I explained why in my Shabbat column for Yedioth Ahronoth, an extract of which is below.
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Wounded veterans who met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week heard an intriguing explanation for the prolonged nature of the current war: Blame placed squarely on the previous U.S. administration. “Within weeks, we understood the White House wasn’t willing to let us win,” Netanyahu reportedly said. This led to the strategy of targeted raids, cautious humanitarian aid distribution, and a seemingly endless conflict.
Today, however, Joe Biden is busy writing his memoirs, and the current U.S. president isn’t imposing reprimands or restricting arms shipments. In fact, there’s one policy he openly supports: encouraging emigration from Gaza. According to the latest poll, about half of Gaza’s population wishes to leave.
Given that roughly one million Gazans are potential emigrants, why have only a few thousand managed to depart since Trump’s announcement three months ago?
Contrary to Netanyahu’s claims, the obstacle isn’t finding countries willing to accept emigrants. Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, Foreign Ministry, and Mossad have failed to finalize agreements with host countries, despite serious consideration from two African and two Asian nations. Israel’s Defense Ministry’s migration unit, meanwhile, hasn’t facilitated the emigration of a single Gazan, exemplifying a long-standing Israeli tradition of ineffective bureaucracy.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) allows Gazans to exit through just one border crossing, once a week, limited to 200-400 people per departure—officially not intended for permanent migration. For example, just days ago, 350 Gazans flew out of Eilat’s Ramon Airport—an effort akin to emptying the ocean with a teaspoon. As for the Shin Bet—it imposes extensive restrictions, presuming anyone leaving Gaza poses a security risk based on the traumatic events of October 7.
Consequently, most potential emigrants, despite no affiliation with Hamas, are prevented from leaving. Efforts to actively identify prospective migrants are nonexistent. Even when departures are approved, Israeli police frequently fail to provide adequate security for convoys, leading to last-minute cancellations.
The IDF isn’t proactively engaging Gaza’s population, nor establishing reception centers within the strip to streamline the exit process. Israel’s current approach relies heavily on coordination with the World Health Organization, whose Gazan officials maintain close ties with Hamas, granting the group an implicit veto over who is permitted to leave.
Ultimately, Netanyahu and relevant ministers are responsible. Netanyahu himself admitted in discussions, “I could be doing more.” This time, however, words won’t suffice. Israel’s government needs to make a decision, or this rare, historic opportunity to alter the reality in Gaza will vanish amidst a bureaucratic funeral procession attended by officials as far as the eye can see.
