"Israeli Official Reiterates Demand for Palestinian Exodus from Gaza"

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, has controversially suggested encouraging Palestinians to emigrate from Gaza, envisioning Israelis settling the area. His remarks have raised concerns of a potential forced displacement similar to the 1948 Nakba. Despite Smotrich's comments, the official stance of the Israeli government is to allow Gazans to return home post-conflict, with security checks. The ongoing war with Hamas has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with international opposition to any Israeli reoccupation or forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.