NNA - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right leader of the movement, said on Saturday that there is progress in US President Donald Trump's plan to evacuate the residents of the Gaza Strip.

"I hope that the process will begin in the coming weeks, even if it will be slow," Trump told Israel's Channel 12.

"Our team has begun preparations in cooperation with the president's team," he added.

"There are two elements that must be implemented," the Israeli minister said. "The first is to find countries that can clearly absorb them, and the second is that getting the huge numbers of people out of Gaza is a huge logistical operation."

Asked if he thought the plan was feasible, he replied: “Absolutely.” He said: “I think the vast majority of them will do it.”

Trump has said the United States would take over the administration of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are moved elsewhere.

The Trump plan stokes long-standing Palestinian fears of being permanently displaced from their homes and has been described by human rights advocates and the United Nations as a proposal for ethnic cleansing.

==============