Former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Jordan and Egypt take in Palestinians from Gaza, facing rejection from Hamas, Jordan, and Egypt. The ongoing Israel-Gaza war has displaced millions, with Gaza’s population previously at 2.3 million. Trump proposed moving Palestinians to build housing elsewhere, claiming this could offer peace, but his idea sparked widespread backlash.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed the country’s firm opposition to any Palestinian displacement. Egypt also rejected the proposal, emphasizing Palestinians’ right to their homeland. Hamas dismissed the suggestion, with officials warning against such offers disguised as reconstruction efforts. Sami Abu Zuhri stated Palestinians will remain steadfast despite attempts to force relocation.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised Trump’s idea, calling it "out-of-the-box thinking" and vowing to develop a plan for its implementation. However, the proposal has been criticized globally. U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese labeled it ethnic cleansing, describing the idea as illegal and immoral.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned Trump’s remarks, insisting Palestinians would remain on their land. Local voices echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Gaza as integral to a future Palestinian state. Palestinian analyst Ghassan al-Khatib expressed doubts about the viability of such plans, noting regional opposition.
The ongoing war, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, has left Gaza devastated, with over 47,000 reported deaths. Humanitarian groups have warned of dire conditions as most of Gaza’s population faces displacement, hunger, and destruction.
Trump’s comments reignited debate over Gaza’s future, but resistance from Palestinians and neighboring Arab nations underscores the enduring challenges of resolving the crisis.