Israeli occupation authorities are reportedly preparing to establish a large-scale camp in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, as part of a plan that could encompass hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

According to Hebrew media outlets, the planned camp would be set up in areas of Rafah previously subjected to extensive destruction during military operations. Retired Israeli General Amir Avivi stated that preparations are underway for a facility designed to host a large civilian population under full occupation control.

In remarks cited by Reuters, Avivi said the camp would be tightly monitored, with entrances and exits controlled directly by Israeli occupation forces and supported by advanced surveillance infrastructure, including facial recognition systems. He alleged that the facility would be used both by Palestinians seeking to leave Gaza through Egypt and by those remaining in the area.

Israeli-linked sources have claimed that the region is now largely depopulated following months of military operations, adding that the proposed camp is intended to accommodate a significant number of people. Some assessments suggest that occupation authorities aim to facilitate outward movement from Gaza more than returns.

Plans for such a camp are not new. In July, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly acknowledged issuing instructions for preparations in Rafah, though no official government announcement has since been made. Gaza’s Government Media Office, however, has strongly rejected the proposal, describing it as a form of forced displacement and demographic engineering.

Speculation has also intensified regarding the reopening of the Rafah Border Crossing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the crossing could be opened for individual civilian passage only, contingent upon acceptance of a plan reportedly presented by US President Donald Trump.

Sources speaking to the The Jerusalem Post indicated that Thursday represents the earliest possible reopening date, though delays into the following week remain likely. Under the reported arrangement, the crossing would be operated by Palestinian personnel unaffiliated with the Palestinian Authority, accompanied by European Union monitors.

Reports further suggest that passage would be restricted to civilians, with additional occupation checkpoints established in the surrounding area. Individuals leaving Gaza would reportedly be subjected to security screening by the occupation’s internal intelligence service.

Although reopening the Rafah Crossing is included among the provisions of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement, occupation authorities have yet to implement the measure. The move has reportedly been tied to conditions related to the handover of captives’ bodies from Gaza.

On Monday, the Israeli occupation army announced that the remains of the last captive in Gaza had been recovered. While Netanyahu described the development as a major achievement, HAMAS said it effectively signaled the closure of the captive and remains exchange process.(ILKHA)