Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert delivered a severe critique of Israel’s proposed “humanitarian city” in Gaza during an interview with Al Jazeera, likening the plan to a concentration camp. Serving as prime minister from 2006 to 2009, Olmert voiced deep concerns about the proposal, which aims to consolidate displaced Palestinians into a controlled zone under Israeli oversight.

He cautioned that the initiative could trap thousands of vulnerable civilians within a confined area, severely restricting their freedom of movement. By making this comparison, Olmert highlighted the troubling historical echoes and raised serious ethical questions about the plan’s implications.

Presented by Israeli authorities as a way to manage the displaced population amid ongoing conflict and blockade, the “humanitarian city” has been widely criticised as a form of forced segregation rather than a genuine humanitarian solution. Olmert’s outspoken opposition adds weight to the debate, reflecting unease within Israeli political ranks about the morality and practicality of the project.

His comments come as Gaza faces an intensifying humanitarian catastrophe marked by severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. International agencies and human rights organisations have repeatedly warned that Israeli policies and military actions are deepening civilian suffering, concerns powerfully underscored by Olmert’s blunt analogy.

Al Jazeera