Scholz rejects Trump's proposal to relocate Gaza residents: "Unacceptable"

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed the idea of relocating Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, calling any such move "unacceptable" following comments by former US President Donald Trump.

"In light of recent public statements, I say very clearly that any relocation plans — the idea that the citizens of Gaza will be expelled to Egypt or Jordan — is unacceptable," Scholz said at a town hall event in Berlin on January 28, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

His remarks come after Trump suggested over the weekend that Gaza should be "cleaned out" following the ongoing conflict and later proposed relocating its population to "safer" locations such as Egypt or Jordan.

Since the war began with the Palestinian group Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, almost all of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents have been displaced.

Scholz reaffirmed his backing for a two-state solution, arguing that the Palestinian Authority should assume responsibility for the territory.

"Peace can only come about if there is the hope of a self-governing future," he stated.

"All those who believe that there can be a chance for peace in the region that is not based on self-government for the West Bank and Gaza in a Palestinian state — that will not work," he added.

Moreover, Jordan and Egypt have firmly rejected a proposal by former US President Donald Trump to relocate over one million Palestinians from Gaza to neighbouring countries. Trump revealed on January 25, that he had discussed the idea with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and intended to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump described Gaza as “a mess” and suggested housing Palestinians elsewhere, either temporarily or permanently. He emphasized that the war-torn enclave was “almost completely demolished” and proposed working with Arab nations to establish new housing.

However, Jordan and Egypt swiftly dismissed the idea. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reiterated that “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians.” He stressed that resettlement would undermine stability and peace efforts. Jordan already hosts over 2.39 million registered Palestinian refugees.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians, warning that such actions would threaten regional stability and escalate conflicts. The ministry reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Palestinian self-determination and called for the implementation of a two-state solution, based on the pre-1967 borders and including East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.

By Aghakazim Guliyev