The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, says there is no plan to force Palestinians to leave Gaza, speaking during a visit to the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya (also spelled Turmus Aiya). He tells reporters, “categorically,” that Israel is not planning to displace people from Gaza against their will.
His comments come after two Israeli ministers this week raised ideas that would involve the mass removal or expulsion of Palestinians from the coastal territory, which sources describe as affecting about two million residents. Outlets report Huckabee’s denial as a direct response to those statements, emphasizing that the U.S. position he conveys is that no forced displacement is intended.
While the reports align on the substance of Huckabee’s message and the trigger for his remarks, they differ mainly in wording and emphasis—some focus on his categorical reassurance, while others highlight that Israeli officials have publicly floated removal proposals. No source here presents evidence of an official Israeli plan contradicting Huckabee’s statement.
