WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to “clean out” the Gaza Strip and resettle its Palestinian population in neighboring Egypt and Jordan has drawn sharp criticism from key Middle Eastern allies and reignited debate over American policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Remarks, made during an impromptu exchange with reporters aboard Air Force One, echoed long-standing sentiments of the Israeli far-right but have been flatly rejected by Egypt and Jordan, two of the United States’ most vital regional partners. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to Palestinian statehood and condemned any displacement of Palestinians as a violation of international norms and regional stability.
Trump’s Controversial Proposal
Speaking about the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza, Mr. Trump described the region as a “demolition site” and suggested that relocating the population might be a solution. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing,” he said, referring to Gaza’s nearly two million residents.
Mr. Trump added that he had discussed the matter with King Abdullah II of Jordan and expressed intentions to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi about taking in more Palestinians, eir temporarily or permanently.
Comments left unclear whether Mr. Trump envisioned a full-scale depopulation of Gaza or a more limited resettlement. Regardless, the proposal triggered immediate pushback.
Egypt and Jordan Reject Displacement
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong rebuke, labeling any attempt to uproot Palestinians from ir land as a “violation” that undermines stability and escalates conflict. “Such actions threaten the region’s fragile peace and are inconsistent with international law,” the ministry stated.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed these sentiments, declaring that Jordan’s stance on rejecting displacement is “unchangeable” and essential to preserving regional stability. “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians,” Safadi asserted during a meeting with UN officials.
Both nations, which have absorbed significant numbers of Palestinian refugees over decades, emphasized that the only path forward lies in achieving Palestinian statehood within the framework of a two-state solution.
Reactions from Palestinian and Israeli Groups
Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, roundly condemned the idea. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, described the suggestion as an affront to the resilience of Gazans. “People of Gaza have endured immense suffering to remain on our land. y will not accept solutions aimed at uprooting m,” Naim said.
Meanwhile, hardline Israeli politicians appeared to support the notion. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, called the idea of relocating Gazans a “great solution” and reiterated his support for measures to facilitate such departures. Smotrich has long advocated for the permanent resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza to allow for potential Jewish settlement in the area.
Regional Implications
Egypt and Jordan have long resisted proposals that would see their territories used as a permanent solution for Palestinian refugees. Both nations face domestic and security risks from such an arrangement. Analysts point out that Egypt fears Gazan refugees could destabilize its borders and potentially draw Israeli retaliation if militants use Egyptian soil to launch attacks.
Jordan, already home to millions of Palestinians and ir descendants, remains wary of further inflaming social tensions that have simmered since the original influx of refugees in 1948.
“This would be political suicide for both governments,” said Maged Mandour, an Egyptian political analyst. “It contradicts our public stance on Palestinian sovereignty and could destabilize our populations.”
Shifts in U.S. Policy?
Trump’s comments mark a sharp departure from the official U.S. stance under President Joe Biden and recent administrations, which have supported a two-state solution. While the United States has historically allied with Egypt and Jordan to maintain regional stability, Trump’s remarks suggest a potential shift in policy priorities should he return to power.
The former president’s stance has fueled concerns about erosion of American commitments to Palestinian statehood. Trump administration had previously moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and cut funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, signaling a strong pro-Israel tilt.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Gaza Strip remains in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by prolonged conflict. Over the past 15 months, Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives have left over 46,000 Palestinians dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more, according to Gazan health officials.
Most of Gaza’s two million residents have been forced to flee their homes multiple times, with aid organizations warning of dire shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Despite a tenuous ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, conditions remain desperate.
Noura al-Awad, a 29-year-old resident of Gaza City, described the situation as a test of endurance. “We stayed in our homes through airstrikes and famine because we refuse to leave our land,” she said.
Road Ahead
As tensions rise, Trump’s proposal has spotlighted the fraught nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of brokering peace in the region. For Palestinians, fear of displacement stirs painful memories of the 1948 Nakba, when hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes.
While regional leaders and international organizations continue to call for a peaceful resolution, Trump’s remarks have added a volatile element to an already complex situation.
The question remains: Will the world address the root causes of conflict, or will proposals like Trump’s further entrench divisions?
