Egypt and Jordan have both rejected the suggestion made by US President Donald Trump that Gaza should be “cleaned out” and the remaining population of 2.3 million should be moved to the neighboring countries. Trump first mentioned this idea on Sunday and reiterated it on Monday while on Air Force One, stating that he would like to see Palestinians from Gaza living in a place where they can live peacefully without disruption and violence. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly discussed this idea with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israeli media reported that Witkoff urged Netanyahu to remove any political obstacles that could hinder the ceasefire deal agreed upon between Israel and Hamas earlier in the month. They also discussed the possibility of relocating Gaza’s population to Egypt and Jordan. Although no official details of the meeting were released, senior officials indicated that the Americans are serious about the idea. Various countries and organizations have rejected Trump’s proposal, including Egypt, Jordan, the UN, and Palestinian leaders. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that the displacement of Palestinians would not be tolerated due to its impact on Egyptian national security. King Abdullah II of Jordan also condemned the plan, emphasizing the importance of Palestinians being able to remain on their own land. Palestinian leaders and the UN also rejected the idea, with the UN spokesperson stating that any plan leading to forced displacement or ethnic cleansing would be against their principles. Several other countries, including Germany, France, Spain, and the Arab League, also criticized the proposal. On the other hand, many right-wing Israelis support the idea of moving Palestinians to neighboring states, as it has been a popular concept since the removal of illegal Israeli settlements from Gaza in 2005. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on Trump’s suggestion, but his recent invitation to the White House is seen as a sign of support from the US. However, legal experts have pointed out that Trump’s proposal would violate international humanitarian law and could pave the way for Israel’s annexation of Gaza. Despite the international criticism, the US’s influence and power may still allow the plan to be enacted.
