Egypt, Jordan reject Trump's Gaza resettlement idea as "destabilizing"

US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip be relocated to Egypt and Jordan was firmly rejected on January 26 by the two Arab nations, as well as Palestinian leaders.

Trump had floated the idea earlier on January 27, claiming it could be a solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which he described as “literally a demolition site right now,” Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In remarks addressing the ongoing devastation caused by Israel’s 15-month conflict with Hamas, Trump proposed resettling Gaza’s population of 2.3 million elsewhere, either temporarily or permanently. “We just clean out that whole thing,” he said.

He further suggested collaborating with Arab nations to build housing where displaced Palestinians “can maybe live in peace for a change.”

The proposal was met with unequivocal rejection. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi underscored his country’s opposition, calling the plan “firm and unwavering.” He warned that relocating Palestinians could exacerbate regional tensions.

“The temporary or long-term transfer of Palestinians risks expanding the conflict in the region and undermines prospects of peace and coexistence among its people,” Safadi said.

Egypt’s foreign ministry echoed similar sentiments, cautioning that such a move would undermine peace efforts and destabilize the region further. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas, representing opposing political factions in Palestinian governance, also dismissed the idea, viewing it as part of a broader attempt to displace Palestinians permanently.

While the Israeli government remained silent on the proposal, some of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners openly supported Trump’s suggestion. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described it as a “great idea.” Advocates within Netanyahu’s government have previously called for voluntary emigration of Palestinians and the re-establishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza.

Human rights groups were quick to condemn the proposal. Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, said, “Trump’s proposal, if implemented, would amount to an alarming escalation in the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people and exponentially increase their suffering.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev