Department of Research, Studies and International News 27-01-2025

United States President Donald Trump has proposed a controversial plan to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza by urging neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan, to accept large numbers of displaced Palestinians. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump outlined his vision of relocating approximately 1.5 million Palestinians, stating that such a move could either be temporary or long-term. His remarks have triggered a wave of criticism from international and regional actors, who view the proposal as a veiled attempt at ethnic cleansing.

Trump’s Proposal and Regional Outreach

Trump revealed that he had spoken with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and planned to discuss the matter with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. During these conversations, he expressed admiration for Jordan’s ability to host Palestinian refugees and suggested that the country, along with Egypt, could absorb additional displaced individuals from Gaza.

“I would like Egypt to take people,” Trump remarked. “We could clean out Gaza and start afresh. The current situation is unsustainable; the entire area is a demolition site, and countless lives are being lost.”

The Gaza Strip, devastated by a prolonged 15-month conflict with Israel, has seen nearly all of its 2.3 million residents displaced, many on multiple occasions. Trump’s comments emphasized the urgency of creating new housing outside Gaza, suggesting that relocation might offer Palestinians a chance to live in peace.

International and Regional Backlash

Trump’s remarks were met with strong opposition, particularly from Jordan and Egypt. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed his country’s commitment to a two-state solution and categorically rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians. This position reflects the broader consensus among Arab nations, which view mass relocation as politically and socially untenable.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed group condemned the proposal, characterizing it as an endorsement of war crimes and a continuation of policies aimed at erasing Palestinian identity and rights. “This idea aligns with the extreme Zionist agenda, which seeks to deny our people their existence and heritage,” the group stated, urging regional governments to stand against such plans.

Abdullah Al-Arian, a historian at Georgetown University in Qatar, contextualized Trump’s remarks within a broader historical framework. He pointed out that similar proposals for mass displacement had been floated by Israeli officials but were ultimately rejected due to their political impracticality and the steadfast resistance of Palestinian communities to abandoning their homeland.

While Trump’s proposal faced widespread criticism, it garnered support from certain far-right Israeli leaders. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the idea, describing it as “out-of-the-box thinking” that could pave the way for peace and security. Smotrich vowed to collaborate with the Israeli government to develop an operational plan for implementing such a relocation.

Historical Context and Palestinian Resistance

The prospect of forced relocation evokes painful memories for Palestinians, who refer to the 1948 mass displacement during Israel’s creation as the “Nakba” or catastrophe. Any attempt to uproot Gaza’s residents would likely be met with staunch resistance, given the historical trauma and enduring struggles of Palestinian refugees over the past seven decades.

The Gaza conflict has caused catastrophic human and material losses. According to Palestinian health authorities, over 47,000 people have been killed, with many more injured or missing. Israel’s relentless airstrikes have decimated civilian infrastructure, leaving the region in ruins and its population in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Amid this devastation, Trump announced the lifting of a ban on the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, a decision that has raised further concerns. These powerful munitions, capable of causing widespread destruction, were previously withheld by President Joe Biden over fears of their impact on civilians.

Palestinians have strongly denounced the controversial proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, that suggests the relocation of Gaza residents to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. This idea, which Trump framed as a necessary step to “clean out” the besieged Gaza Strip, has drawn accusations of promoting ethnic cleansing and sparked widespread condemnation across Palestinian society and leadership.

During remarks on Saturday, Trump proposed that Egypt and Jordan temporarily or permanently host displaced Palestinians from Gaza, a statement that has intensified existing tensions. By Sunday, Palestinian leaders and citizens alike had voiced unanimous rejection of the notion, describing it as an affront to their sovereignty and a gross violation of their “red lines.”

The Palestinian Authority (PA), headquartered in Ramallah, issued a strong statement against the proposal. It warned that such plans would not only undermine Palestinian rights but also echo the catastrophic displacements of 1948 and 1967, events known as the Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forcibly displaced.

“The Palestinian people will never abandon their land or their sacred sites,” the PA emphasized. “We will not allow history to repeat itself. Our people will remain steadfast, resisting any attempts to strip them of their homeland.”

Similarly, residents of Gaza expressed defiance. Nafiz Halawa, speaking from the central Gaza Strip, stressed the unyielding resolve of the people. “Even those who have suffered greatly will resist this idea,” he asserted. “Leaving our land is simply unthinkable.” Elham al-Shabli, another Gaza resident, echoed these sentiments, saying, “If leaving were an option, it would have happened long ago. No amount of destruction will force us to abandon our country.”

Palestinian resistance groups, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), strongly opposed the suggestion, characterizing it as part of broader Israeli designs to displace Palestinians permanently. Hamas accused the U.S. administration of aligning with Israeli policies that seek to erase Palestinian presence, while the PIJ described Trump’s comments as encouragement for “war crimes” against Palestinians.

International reactions also highlighted the divisiveness of the proposal. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed his country’s firm opposition to any plans for Palestinian displacement. “Our stance on this matter is unchanging,” he stated, reiterating Jordan’s commitment to supporting efforts for a sovereign Palestinian state.

Even within the U.S., Trump’s proposal faced skepticism. Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham described the idea as impractical and unlikely to gain acceptance among Arab nations.

Trump’s comments come amid ongoing challenges in Gaza following a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. While a truce facilitated the exchange of captives and prisoners, thousands of displaced Palestinians continue to face dire conditions as they await permission to return to their homes in northern Gaza.

On Sunday, Israel maintained a blockade of crossing points into northern Gaza, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire by Hamas. The PIJ confirmed negotiations to secure the release of an Israeli civilian in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners, a move expected to resolve the deadlock.

Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians endure harsh conditions near crossing points, with no shelter or basic facilities available. Hani Mahmoud reported on the dire situation, noting that many families dismantled their temporary shelters in anticipation of returning home, only to be stranded in the cold.

As tensions persist, Palestinians remain resolute in their rejection of any forced displacement, underscoring their unwavering connection to their homeland despite overwhelming challenges.

Conclusion

Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s residents has sparked intense debate and highlighted the complexities of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While framed as a humanitarian effort, the plan has been widely criticized as an affront to Palestinian rights and an endorsement of policies that could exacerbate regional tensions. As the situation in Gaza remains precarious, the international community continues to grapple with finding sustainable solutions to one of the world’s most protracted conflicts.