President Donald Trump proposed a controversial plan on Saturday to “clean out” Gaza, suggesting that Egypt and Jordan should absorb Palestinians in an attempt to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Trump, who described Gaza as a “demolition site” in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war, stated that he had already discussed the issue with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and planned to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi soon.
Trump’s plan, which could involve the relocation of around one and a half million people, raises questions about the future of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents, many of whom have been displaced multiple times since the war began on October 7, 2023. He suggested the relocation could be either temporary or long-term, emphasizing that Gaza’s current condition, with widespread destruction, demands immediate action.
Trump, expressed a desire to collaborate with Arab nations to create new housing for displaced Palestinians, where they could live in peace away from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, such a proposal is fraught with political and historical implications. For Palestinians, the idea of displacement brings painful memories of the 1948 “Nakba,” when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were uprooted during the establishment of Israel.
Meanwhile, Trump confirmed that he had ordered the Pentagon to release a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs for Israel, which had been previously blocked by the Biden administration. Trump’s unwavering support for Israel continues as part of his broader Middle East policy, although critics question the long-term effectiveness of his approach.
The proposal to remove Palestinians from Gaza and the continued devastation of the region only add to the complexity of an already delicate situation. With the region’s future uncertain, it remains to be seen whether such proposals will gain traction or further inflame tensions.
