US President Donald Trump has floated a controversial plan to relocate Gaza’s population to Egypt and Jordan, describing the war-torn territory as a “demolition site” in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump revealed discussions with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and plans to consult Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday.
“I’d like Egypt to take people. And I’d like Jordan to take people,” Trump said, suggesting the relocation could be temporary or long-term. He emphasized the need to “clean out” Gaza, where over 2.4 million people, already displaced multiple times by the ongoing conflict, face a dire humanitarian crisis.
Trump proposed that Arab nations assist in creating housing for displaced Palestinians, suggesting the new settlements could provide an opportunity for them to “live in peace for a change.” His administration has vowed “unwavering support” for Israel and recently authorized the release of a delayed shipment of 2,000-lb bombs for the Israeli military.
The proposal has drawn criticism for evoking historical memories of the 1948 “Nakba,” when Palestinians were forcibly displaced during the establishment of Israel. While Israel has denied any plans to relocate Gazans en masse, extreme-right elements in its government have supported such measures.
Trump, who has claimed credit for a fragile truce deal brokered at the end of his predecessor Joe Biden’s term, reiterated his belief that Gaza could be transformed if rebuilt “the right way.” Critics, however, view his proposal as a significant departure from previous US-led peace efforts in the Middle East.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, has left much of Gaza in ruins. Reconstruction is expected to take years, with the United Nations estimating massive infrastructure rebuilding is required. Trump’s remarks signal a new direction in US policy, though the plan is likely to face significant resistance from Palestinians and their supporters.
