Tel Aviv, March 31 -- Israel appointed a point man to facilitate Palestinian emigration from Gaza, the Defense Ministry announced on Sunday.

Col. (res.) Yaakov (Koby) Blitstein, currently the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Defense, was tapped to head the newly established Directorate for Voluntary Transition of Gaza Residents.

"We are determined to realize the vision of US President Donald Trump to allow voluntary departure for Gaza residents who wish to do so to various places in the world. Our tests show that at least 40 per cent of Gaza residents are interested in emigrating to other places," said Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Katz said Blitstein would provide "organizational momentum" to the project and enhance the ongo...