WASHINGTON: A US suggestion to create a safe passage for civilians trapped in Gaza has prompted criticism from several quarters, who see the suggestion as furthering Israel’s agenda of emptying the Gaza Strip in a bid to lay claim to that territory as well.

There is a distinction between the two demands: the call for a humanitarian corridor, which has been supported by UN chief Antonio Guterres, the WHO and MSF, among others, would allow food, aid and essential supplies into the beseiged enclave, which has been without living essentials such as water and electricity for several days.

This is separate from the US proposal, which would see Gazans being allowed to flee Israeli bombing by taking refuge in Egypt.

Cairo has been discussing the proposal with Washington, but has only consented to providing humanitarian aid through its border with Gaza, rejecting any move to set up corridors for refugees fleeing the enclave.

One of the few people to support both calls was Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf who urged the government of Israel to ensure that innocent civilians are protected and to put in place an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe passage of civilians.

He also called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, for those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave.

But while Mr Yousaf fully supports the creation of a passage, Palestinian-origin poet Samah Sabawi vehemently opposed the move, labelling it as ‘ethnic cleansing.’

“I told my family in Gaza to get out when I heard reports the US is coordinating a plan to offer safe passage for civilians out of Gaza into Egypt. My aunty said ‘Do you guarantee we would be allowed to return?’ I couldn’t. I know ethnic cleansing when I see it. She refuses to leave. Death or eternal refugeehood. What would you choose?” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Rohan Talbot, director of advocacy and campaigns at Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), also shared concerns about the potential for ethnic cleansing.

“Very real fears that Israel will try to push as many people out of #Gaza into Egypt as it can. A genuine possibility of ethnic cleansing. Note Netanyahu etc’s suggestion Palestinians should “leave Gaza”. We could end up with a permanent refugee flow out of an emptied Gaza,” he wrote on his X account.

British journalist Hala Jaber also criticised the move by pointing out that this move is ‘pure ethnic cleansing shrouded under humanitarian deed’.

“Are you for real? This is not a humanitarian gesture. This is an attempt to empty Gaza of its people/population/natives, with no future right of return,” she wrote on her X account.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2023