Israel Will Not Force Anyone to Leave Gaza, Sa’ar Says

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel is not planning to expel or deport anyone from Gaza. Speaking at a Ljubljana press conference, he said Israel would not oppose voluntary departure if another country agreed to receive the person, but would not force anyone to leave against their will. Sa’ar made the statement while opening Israel’s first resident embassy in Slovenia during the first Israeli foreign-ministerial visit there in 16 years. Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer hosted the visit, where the two governments also signed a 2026–2030 cooperation program covering education, science, culture, youth and sports.