The European Union has officially rejected any attempts to implement demographic or territorial changes within the Gaza Strip. Christian Wigand, a spokesperson for the European Commission, issued the statement on Friday during the commission’s daily press briefing in response to inquiries regarding proposals by Israeli officials to displace Palestinians from the enclave.
Wigand emphasized that the bloc’s position is aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2735. He underscored that there should be no forced displacement of Gazans, noting that the territory remains a vital component of a future Palestinian state. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the European Union's support for bringing both Gaza and the occupied West Bank under the governance of a unified Palestinian Authority.
Addressing the broader political climate, Wigand characterized recent inflammatory rhetoric as unacceptable, urging all involved parties to prioritize de-escalation rather than actions that exacerbate tensions. The comments followed recent statements from Israeli officials regarding the future of the enclave. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz recently asserted that the government was prepared to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from Gaza by various means, including air and sea, claiming no other solution to the crisis exists. Additionally, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed a plan for the departure of 1.86 million Palestinians over a seven-year period, which he labeled as voluntary migration.
International humanitarian law explicitly prohibits the forcible transfer of civilians from occupied territory, a practice that may constitute a war crime.
