Trump Proposes Relocating Gazans to Egypt and Jordan, Calls for “Cleaning Out” Gaza
In a controversial statement on Saturday, former US President Donald Trump suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan as part of a plan to achieve Middle East peace. Describing Gaza as a “demolition site” following the Israel-Hamas war, Trump floated the idea of “cleaning out” the territory and rebuilding it with the help of Arab nations.
Speaking to reporters aboard his private plane, Trump revealed that he had discussed the issue with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and planned to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday. “I’d like Egypt to take people. And I’d like Jordan to take people,” Trump said. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing.”
Trump acknowledged the long history of conflict in the region, stating, “Over the centuries, it’s had many, many conflicts on that site. And I don’t know, something has to happen.” He proposed that the relocation could be “temporarily or could be long term,” emphasizing the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Gaza’s Devastation and Displacement
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, has left much of Gaza in ruins. The United Nations estimates that the vast majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents have been displaced, often multiple times, with infrastructure destroyed and reconstruction expected to take years.
Trump described the current state of Gaza as “literally a demolition site,” adding, “Almost everything is demolished, and people are dying there.” He suggested that Arab nations could help build housing in alternative locations where displaced Gazans could “live in peace for a change.”
Controversial Remarks and Historical Context
Trump’s proposal has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Palestinians and human rights advocates, who view it as reminiscent of the “Nakba” or “catastrophe”—the mass displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948. Many fear that such a plan could lead to the permanent expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland.
Israel has denied any intention to forcibly relocate Gazans, though some far-right members of the Israeli government have publicly supported the idea. Trump’s son-in-law and former White House advisor, Jared Kushner, previously suggested in February that Gaza’s “waterfront property” could be unlocked by relocating its civilian population.
Trump’s Middle East Policy
Trump’s administration has pledged “unwavering support” for Israel but has yet to outline a detailed Middle East policy. On Saturday, Trump confirmed that he had ordered the release of a shipment of 2,000-lb bombs to Israel, which had been blocked by his predecessor, President Joe Biden. “We released them today,” Trump said. “They paid for them, and they’ve been waiting for them for a long time.”
The former president also claimed credit for a fragile truce and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, which was signed during the final days of the Biden administration.
Rebuilding Gaza: A Vision for the Future
During his presidential campaign in October 2023, Trump suggested that Gaza could be transformed into a prosperous region if rebuilt “the right way,” comparing its potential to that of Monaco. However, his latest remarks have sparked debate over the feasibility and morality of such proposals.
International Reactions
The international community has yet to respond formally to Trump’s proposal, but the idea of relocating Gazans is likely to face significant opposition from Arab nations, human rights organizations, and Palestinian leaders. Critics argue that any solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must respect the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination.