Washington, DC – Scenes of celebration and emotional reunions are taking place throughout the Gaza Strip as hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals make their way back to their homes in the northern part of the territory. A delicate ceasefire following 15 months of conflict in Gaza has enabled this return. However, while human rights advocates applaud this rare instance of reverse displacement in Palestinian history, President Donald Trump of the United States has proposed relocating the entire population of Gaza to Egypt and Jordan. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people,” Trump informed reporters. “We just clear out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.'” Experts suggest that Trump’s suggestion would amount to ethnic cleansing, but given the geopolitical realities in the region, it is unlikely to come to fruition.
Yousef Munayyer, the head of the Palestine/Israel program at the Arab Center Washington DC, condemned Trump’s “outrageous” statement for violating all norms and basic rights. He also advised taking Trump’s comments with a grain of salt, noting that Trump often makes statements that may not reflect his true intentions. Munayyer highlighted that discussions of displacing Palestinians into Egypt have been promptly rejected by Cairo, as well as by Jordan, due to their national security concerns.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi firmly stated that Egypt would not participate in any efforts to remove Palestinians from Gaza, citing both the injustice of displacement and Egyptian national security. Jordan echoed this sentiment, with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi affirming that their position on this matter is firm and unchanging. Both countries fear potential repercussions from their populations if they were to accept displaced individuals from Gaza.
While Trump’s proposal has sparked concern, experts emphasize that Egypt and Jordan have valid reasons for rejecting mass displacement. Both countries are wary of the destabilizing effects that such an influx of displaced individuals, including potentially thousands of combatants, could have on their political, economic, and security structures. Nancy Okail, president of the Center for International Policy, noted that President el-Sisi has been clear in his stance against accepting displaced Palestinians from Gaza, citing capacity, legitimacy, and stability concerns.
In light of Trump’s controversial remarks, it is crucial to prioritize the reconstruction of Gaza through sustainable political solutions and a lasting ceasefire, rather than resorting to the displacement of its population. Munayyer emphasized that the people of Gaza have endured immense hardship and that their future should not be determined by forced displacement.