Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had remarked that peace would return only if Gaza is emptied of Palestinians.

His views were echoed by the country's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

However, the United States has rejected this "plan" by Israel.

When asked about Katz's remarks, the U.S. State Department clarified its position. They stated that Washington wants a resolution to the Palestinian crisis in accordance with President Donald Trump's 20-point "peace plan."

In a statement given to the Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera on Friday (September 4), a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, "Point 12 of the President's (Trump's) 20-point plan clearly states that no one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave can do so freely and return as well. We will encourage people to stay there and give them the opportunity to build a better Gaza."

The spokesperson further added,

"The United States does not support any plan or proposal to forcibly displace, expel, or compulsorily transfer the people of Gaza."

Earlier, Katz had claimed that Trump had only "suspended" his support for the plan to remove Palestinians from the area, rather than canceling it.

According to human rights activists, implementing this proposal would amount to "ethnic cleansing."