On July 7, 2025, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to establish a "humanitarian city" in the ruins of Rafah, Gaza.
This initiative aims to concentrate approximately 600,000 displaced Palestinians from the Mawasi coastal area. The announcement coincides with discussions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a Gaza ceasefire.
The plan has raised concerns among international observers, with critics fearing potential forced displacement and ethnic cleansing. The United Nations has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis.