By Malak Khaled
U.S. President Donald Trump is making headlines with his proposal: “You’re talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing” in regard to Gaza.
Trump aims to relocate over one million Palestinians to neighboring countries, specifically Egypt and Jordan.
The two countries opposed the proposal, emphasizing that while Trump frames this as a solution to the region’s problems, the plan raises significant concerns about its feasibility, legality, and humanitarian impact.
Trump’s Proposal in Detail
The Plan
Trump suggested moving over a million Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan. He proposed building housing for the displaced population, mentioning that this solution could be either temporary or long-term.
Motivation
Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” and stated that relocating Palestinians would mean “they could maybe live in peace for a change.”
Coordination With Regional Leaders
Trump stated he had discussed the plan with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and intended to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Both leaders have consistently opposed such proposals.
International and Regional Reactions
Egypt’s Opposition
Egypt has consistently opposed the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, viewing it as a direct threat to regional stability and the viability of a Palestinian state.
President El-Sisi previously warned that such actions would render the idea of a Palestinian state meaningless, stating, “The land will be there, but the people won’t.”
On Sunday, Egypt’s foreign minister stressed Egypt’s unwavering support for Palestinian rights under international and humanitarian law, categorically rejecting settlement expansion, land annexation, and forced displacement, be it temporary or permanent.
Egypt also called on the international community to take concrete steps toward implementing the two-state solution.
Jordan’s Opposition
Similarly, Jordan had previously rejected plans to absorb more Palestinian refugees. King Abdullah of Jordan had called such proposals a “red line”.
The country, too, reiterated its rejection of such proposals on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi declared, “Our rejection of the displacement of Palestinians is firm and will not change.”
Palestine’s Response
Palestinians, including President Mahmoud Abbas and Gaza-based Hamas, have condemned any proposals that involve their displacement.
The Palestinian Presidency stated that the Palestinian people “will remain steadfast and will not leave their homeland,” highlighting that the displacement of the Palestinians is a “blatant violation” of their “red lines.”
Gaza residents have also insisted on their commitment to staying in their homeland. At the same time, Hamas accused the US administration of aligning with Israeli “schemes” and called for resistance against displacement and genocide.
Israeli Government’s Response
Far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, praised Trump’s idea as an “out-of-the-box solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Former far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also voiced his support for US President Donald Trump’s proposal, “When the president of the world’s greatest superpower, Trump, personally brings up this idea, it is worth the Israeli government implementing it.”
Human Rights Concerns
Humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm, warning that forced displacement would violate international law and exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The UN has consistently opposed such measures, emphasizing the rights of Palestinians to remain on their land.
A Departure From International Norms
Trump’s plan opposes decades of foreign U.S. policy, which always supported a two-state solution. It directly contradicts international law, which prohibits the forcible transfer of populations. The Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly states that “individual or mass forcible transfers… are prohibited, regardless of their motive.”
U.S. Policy Shift Under Trump
Support for Israel
Trump has often described himself as Israel’s greatest ally, a sentiment echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His actions in the first term, such as recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, are a testament to Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
Lifting Biden-Era Sanctions
Trump recently lifted sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Israeli settlers accused of violence in the West Bank. This move has been condemned by rights groups, who argue that it emboldens settler aggression.
Delivery of Arms
Trump ordered a ban lift on 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, which had been withheld by Biden due to concerns over their humanitarian impact. These weapons, if used in Gaza, risk causing mass civilian casualties, further highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding Trump’s policies.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Current Situation
The United Nations reports that over 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced as a result of the genocide. Many residents have been forced to move multiple times, with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
And over the past 15 months alone, at least 46,707 people in Gaza have been killed, including approximately 18,000 children. This situation is the result of prolonged blockades, repeated military operations, and a lack of reconstruction efforts.
Ceasefire Challenges
Israel opened the northern Gaza crossing on Monday, following a weekend delay. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians started returning to their homes after months of brutal bombardment.
Israel insisted it would not allow Palestinians to return north until female civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud was released and accused Hamas of withholding information on the status of other hostages.
Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of violating the agreement by postponing the crossing’s reopening. A new deal was struck that stipulated that Yehoud and two additional hostages would be freed before Friday, in addition to the three hostages scheduled for release on Saturday.
Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza has sparked significant controversy and opposition. While Trump frames the plan as a solution to Gaza’s devastation, the implications of it raise many concerns around the region.
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