Former US President Donald Trump has proposed that a significant number of Palestinians should evacuate Gaza to “clean out” the region, following his directive for the US military to resume deliveries of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.
In a recent statement, Trump expressed his desire for Gaza residents to relocate to neighboring countries, indicating that their displacement could be either temporary or long-term. This came after a phone conversation with Jordan’s King Abdullah on Saturday.
“I’d prefer to engage with some Arab nations to construct housing in a different area where they might have a chance to live peacefully,” Trump shared with reporters aboard Air Force One. “We’re talking about potentially a million and a half individuals, and we could just clear out the entire area and say: ‘It’s done.'”
With Gaza’s population at approximately 2.3 million, Trump inquired whether Jordan would accept more Palestinians, noting that the nation already hosts 2.4 million Palestinian refugees, many of whom were displaced in 1948 during the establishment of Israel.
“I told him I would appreciate it if he could take in more because I’m looking at the Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a disaster. I would like him to accept some people,” Trump remarked when questioned about his discussion with King Abdullah.
He also mentioned Egypt as a potential refuge for those from Gaza and indicated he would discuss this with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday. Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2023, Egypt has consistently opposed forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and has fortified its borders. Sisi warned that any attempt to push people into Sinai could threaten relations with Israel, including the 1979 peace agreement.
Mustafa Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian politician, firmly rejected Trump’s remarks, as reported by the Palestinian news agency Ma’an. Barghouti cautioned against any efforts that could lead to “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza, asserting that “the Palestinian people are determined to stay in their homeland.”
Within Israel, there have been growing calls for the permanent and forced relocation of Gaza’s residents since the conflict began. Trump’s comments were met with approval from far-right politicians who advocate for Jewish settlements in the region.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich labeled the idea of relocating Palestinians as a “great idea,” expressing his intent to collaborate with the prime minister and the cabinet to develop an “operational plan for implementation” as soon as possible.
Before Trump’s presidency, a member of his transition team mentioned discussions about relocating 2 million Palestinians during reconstruction efforts if a tentative ceasefire were to hold, with Indonesia being one potential relocation site. However, Jakarta stated it was unaware of any such plans.
Trump has not articulated a clear vision for Gaza’s governance post-conflict. While signing executive orders after taking office, he referred to the territory as a real estate opportunity, complimenting its coastal location and climate.
“I looked at a picture of Gaza; it’s like a huge demolition site,” he stated on Tuesday, adding, “It needs to be rebuilt in a different manner.”
Qatari officials, who facilitated a pause in hostilities in Gaza, have characterized “any plan that would culminate in relocation or reoccupation” as a non-negotiable boundary.
The Trump administration has pledged “unwavering support” for Israel, with key positions filled by staunch advocates of its territorial expansion, including the ambassador to the UN. During her confirmation hearings, Trump’s UN ambassador articulated that she believed Israel had a “biblical right” to the West Bank, an area occupied since 1967 that most of the international community recognizes as central to a future Palestinian state.
On Saturday, Trump announced that he had authorized the continuation of shipments of some of the largest bombs to Israel, a move that was widely anticipated.
The Biden administration had previously paused the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs due to concerns over potential civilian casualties in Gaza, as these powerful munitions can devastate large areas, penetrating thick concrete and metal.
When asked about the resumption of these bomb shipments, Trump replied, “because they purchased them.”
The Biden administration had dispatched thousands of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel following the onset of the conflict, before halting the shipments last year.