Overview

• On July 7 Israel’s defense minister instructed the military to accelerate construction of a “humanitarian city” in Rafah to house up to 2 million displaced Palestinians under strict screening and no-exit rules.
• British, Emirati and Qatari officials publicly rejected the proposal on July 8 and 9, arguing coercive relocation undermines ceasefire efforts and impedes humanitarian aid.
• Human rights lawyers warn that forcibly transferring Gaza’s population could amount to war crimes if carried out on a massive scale under international law.
• Singer Billie Eilish described the plan as “horrifying” on Instagram, drawing global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Implementation remains stalled as Israel seeks international bodies to manage the camp but faces mounting diplomatic resistance and legal scrutiny.