Pakistan, Sept. 6 -- Israel's debate over Gaza has entered a more dangerous phase. Defence Minister Israel Katz said this week that there was "no real solution" without Gazans leaving and that Israel was prepared to move them by sea, air and other routes once Washington agreed.

A day later, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed a seven-year programme, complete with a government ministry to facilitate departures. With elections due on Oct 27, there is obvious political theatre here. Yet an idea ceases to be merely rhetorical when ministers begin attaching timelines to it.

The context matters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel controls about 60 per cent of Gaza and will not retreat from the Yellow Line for now. T...