Donald Trump has made a provocative suggestion regarding the future of Gaza, advocating for the large-scale displacement of Palestinians from the region. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump outlined his vision of “cleaning out” Gaza by relocating its residents, stating that they could be moved temporarily or even long-term to neighboring Arab nations. The former president’s comments come after a phone call with King Abdullah of Jordan on Saturday, during which Trump discussed the possibility of Jordan accepting more Palestinian refugees.
Trump’s remarks were centered on the notion of removing approximately 1.5 million people from Gaza, stating: “I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location where they can maybe live in peace for a change.” He further suggested that Gaza’s current state, with its 2.3 million residents, was a “real mess” and that relocating the population was the best solution. Jordan, which already hosts around 2.4 million Palestinian refugees, was one of the countries Trump proposed as a destination for displaced Palestinians.
In addition to Jordan, Trump also mentioned Egypt as another possible relocation site for Gaza’s residents. However, Egypt has firmly opposed any such plans, with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi warning that pushing Palestinians into Sinai could strain relations with Israel and jeopardize the peace treaty between the two nations. Egypt has reinforced its border with Gaza since the conflict’s escalation in 2023, and has continually opposed forced displacement.
The remarks were met with outrage from Palestinian leaders, with Mustafa Barghouti, a senior Palestinian politician, denouncing Trump’s proposal as a form of “ethnic cleansing.” Barghouti emphasized that Palestinians were committed to staying in their homeland, rejecting the notion of relocation.
Pl watch the video and subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com for quality podcasts:
Trump’s comments also garnered support from far-right Israeli politicians who have long advocated for the forcible removal of Palestinians from Gaza. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the idea of relocating Palestinians “great,” expressing a desire to work on an “operational plan” for implementation. This sentiment aligns with the far-right’s longstanding aim of expanding Jewish settlements in Gaza.
Before leaving office, Trump’s administration briefly discussed the possibility of relocating up to 2 million Palestinians, with Indonesia considered as a potential destination. However, Indonesian officials were quick to dismiss this idea, stating they were unaware of any such plans.
Additionally, Trump made waves by ordering the resumption of shipments of large bombs to Israel, a decision that had been paused by the Biden administration due to concerns over the bombs’ potential to cause significant civilian casualties. Trump defended the move, stating, “Because they bought them,” referring to the deal between the US and Israel for the delivery of these weapons.
This latest chapter in the ongoing conflict highlights the deepening divisions surrounding the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump’s remarks, which suggest the mass displacement of Palestinians, will only fuel further controversy and tension in an already volatile region. While some Israeli officials cheer the potential relocation, Palestinians and their advocates see it as an unacceptable violation of their rights and sovereignty. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this proposal will influence the trajectory of the conflict and international diplomacy moving forward.
