'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – Former United States President Donald Trump has sparked international controversy after proposing the relocation of Gaza residents to Egypt and Jordan. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the region’s humanitarian crisis necessitated drastic measures, including "cleaning out" Gaza and moving its population elsewhere.
Trump revealed he had discussed the idea with King Abdullah II of Jordan and planned to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. “I would like Egypt to take people,” Trump said. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say: ‘You know, it’s over.’”
The former president praised Jordan’s efforts in hosting Palestinian refugees and urged the kingdom to accept more. He also proposed building housing outside Gaza in collaboration with Arab nations to provide displaced Palestinians with "a peaceful life."
The suggestion has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian groups and human rights organizations. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) condemned Trump’s comments, describing them as “deplorable” and an endorsement of “war crimes.” The group accused Trump of perpetuating the extreme Zionist agenda and undermining Palestinian rights.
“This proposal falls within the framework of encouraging war crimes and crimes against humanity by forcing our people to leave their land,” PIJ said in a statement.
Palestinian historians and political analysts have also denounced the plan. Abdullah Al-Arian, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, warned that such a move would echo the mass displacement of Palestinians during the Nakba in 1948. “Palestinians know all too well what it means to leave their home,” Al-Arian said.
While Trump’s proposal has faced widespread condemnation, some Israeli officials, including far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have welcomed the idea. Smotrich called it “out-of-the-box thinking” and expressed support for relocating Gaza residents to “help them build better lives in other places.”
However, neighboring countries have expressed strong opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians. Egyptian President el-Sisi has previously warned that moving Gaza’s population into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula would jeopardize Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel. Jordan, already home to 2.3 million Palestinian refugees, has also resisted accepting additional refugees, citing political and social challenges.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified over the past 15 months, with Israel’s military campaign leaving much of the territory in ruins. The conflict has claimed more than 47,000 lives, with activists suggesting the toll could be much higher. The United Nations estimates that rebuilding Gaza will take years, given the scale of destruction.
Despite the fragile ceasefire in place, the situation remains dire. Trump’s comments have added fuel to the debate over how to address Gaza’s future, as international leaders and organizations weigh the consequences of such proposals on the region’s stability.
Meanwhile, Trump announced he had lifted a hold on delivering 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, citing prior agreements. Critics argue the move could exacerbate civilian casualties in future conflicts.
As the crisis deepens, the global community continues to grapple with finding a sustainable and humane solution for Gaza’s displaced population.
