Donald Trump has called for Egypt and Jordan to accept a significant portion of Gaza’s population, asserting that it is necessary to “clean out” the area. His remarks, made while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, could provoke strong reactions from Palestinians as well as the broader Arab community.
Trump expressed, “I’d like Egypt to take people. And I’d like Jordan to take people,” suggesting an influx of around 1.5 million individuals from Gaza. This proposal would significantly alter longstanding U.S. policy which has been supportive of a two-state solution, establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel in both Gaza and parts of the occupied West Bank.
He stated that he had already approached King Abdullah of Jordan regarding this plan and intended to discuss it further with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Amid the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Trump commented on the dire conditions in Gaza, labeling it “literally a demolition site” and indicating a preference for collaborating with Arab nations to build housing elsewhere for the displaced population.
The exodus proposal, according to Trump, could be either a temporary or permanent solution, given that Gaza’s pre-war population was approximately 2.2 million.
Both Jordan and Egypt have consistently dismissed the idea of relocating Palestinians, arguing that it would equate to the “liquidation of the Palestinian cause.” Sisi has emphasized that accepting Gazans could jeopardize Egypt’s peace agreement with Israel, as some individuals might take up arms against Israel from within Egyptian borders.
Experts have warned that such actions could destabilize both Jordan, which already hosts a considerable Palestinian population, and Egypt, particularly if relocations were to occur in the Sinai Peninsula, potentially leading to clashes between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces.
Leaders in these two nations, grappling with economic challenges while reliant on U.S. support, would face backlash from Arab public opinion akin to the historic “Nakba” of 1948, which saw a mass exodus of Palestinians due to the founding of Israel.
The implications for Arab nations are profound, as any significant movement of Palestinians could be seen as ethnic cleansing, further complicating diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
While Trump’s suggestion has received support from Israel’s far-right leaders, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who labeled it a “wonderful idea,” and former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, there are considerable concerns about the impact on existing ceasefire agreements.
Despite a successful release of four Israeli soldiers and 200 Palestinian prisoners, tensions persist in the ceasefire agreement, particularly as Hamas is accused of violating the terms by failing to release a significant civilian hostage. Israeli officials have indicated that until the hostage situation is resolved, they will not permit the return of many displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as Israel has indicated it will not adhere to a two-month deadline for withdrawing forces from southern Lebanon.
photo credit: www.ft.com
