US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the White House in Washington, DC, US, Feb. 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said over the weekend that Israel still supports and plans on going forward with US President Donald Trump’s “voluntary migration” plan for civilians in Gaza, offering Hamas terrorist leaders exile if the group disarms. 

While speaking to the Israeli cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu said that Israel plans on intensifying military “pressure” in Gaza with the aim of forcing Hamas leaders to surrender and evacuate, allowing “Trump’s voluntary migration” plan to take effect. 

“Hamas will lay down its weapons. Its leaders will be allowed to leave. We will see to the general security in the Gaza Strip and will allow the realization of the Trump plan for voluntary migration,” the Israeli premier said. “This is the plan. We are not hiding this and are ready to discuss it at any time.”

Netanyahu reiterated that Hamas must disarm, although the Palestinian terrorist group has rejected such calls as a “red line” it will not cross. He added that Israel was committed to negotiating a solution that would see the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza who Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists kidnapped during their Oct. 7, 2023, massacre across southern Israel.

On Saturday, a top Hamas leader said the terrorist organization had accepted a new ceasefire plan put forth by mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States and called on Israel to back it.

Israel confirmed receiving the proposal and has submitted a counterproposal, according to Netanyahu’s office.

On Monday, Israeli officials said the government has proposed an extended truce in Gaza in exchange for the return of about half the remaining hostages.

The latest proposals, which would leave open a final agreement over ending the Israel-Hamas war, would involve the return of half the 24 hostages believed still to be alive in Gaza – and about half the 35 assumed to be dead – during a truce lasting between 40 and 50 days, Reuters reported.

Last week, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich revealed that the cabinet approved a proposal by Defense Minister Israel Katz to organize “a voluntary transfer for Gaza residents who express interest in moving to third countries, in accordance with Israeli and international law, and following the vision of US President Donald Trump.”

Israel would also take responsibility for “establishing movement routes, pedestrian checks at designated crossings in the Gaza Strip,” to ensure safe passage for Palestinian civilians.

Trump in February proposed the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, calling the enclave a “demolition site” and saying residents have “no alternative” as he held critical talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

“[The Palestinians] have no alternative right now” but to leave Gaza, Trump told reporters before Netanyahu arrived. “I mean, they’re there because they have no alternative. What do they have? It is a big pile of rubble right now.”

Trump argued that Palestinians would benefit from leaving Gaza and expressed astonishment at the notion that they would want to remain in the beleaguered enclave. 

“Look, the Gaza thing has not worked. It’s never worked. And I feel very differently about Gaza than a lot of people. I think they should get a good, fresh, beautiful piece of land. We’ll get some people to put up the money to build it and make it nice and make it habitable and enjoyable,” he said.

Arab leaders of Israel’s neighboring states slammed the plan, vowing not to absorb any refugees from Gaza.

Trump said earlier this month that “nobody is expelling any Palestinians” from the enclave, seemingly suggesting that any resettlement outside of Gaza would be voluntary.