DayofPal– US President Donald Trump reiterated his plan to permanently displace Gaza’s two million residents to neighboring countries, stating in a Fox News interview that they would not have the right to return.
Trump’s comments have sparked widespread controversy, surprising his own advisers and alarming governments in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.
His initial remarks last week about a potential U.S. “takeover” of Gaza were met with strong reactions, particularly from right-wing Israeli figures who embraced the idea. The White House quickly walked back his statements, but Trump has since reaffirmed his position.
In an interview with Fox’s Bret Baier, Trump was asked if displaced Palestinians would be allowed to return to Gaza. “No, they wouldn’t because they’re going to have much better housing,” he said.
“I’m talking about building a permanent place for them.” He justified the displacement by claiming that Gaza is uninhabitable and will take years to rebuild.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who recently visited Gaza, echoed this view, telling Axios that it could take 10–15 years before the enclave becomes livable again.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington with Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser Jared Kushner. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Trump’s Gaza plan was among the topics addressed.
Trump envisions constructing new communities in the region to house displaced Palestinians permanently. He expressed confidence in reaching agreements with Egypt and Jordan to host those displaced from Gaza, though neither country has publicly endorsed the idea.
His proposal, which would forcibly remove Gaza’s population, contradicts international law and has drawn criticism from aid organizations, which emphasize that much of Gaza’s devastation results from the ongoing war that began in 2023.
As pushback mounts against Donald Trump’s proposal to permanently displace Gaza’s population, diplomatic efforts are intensifying on multiple fronts.
Egypt and Jordan—two of the most directly affected countries—are leading a diplomatic offensive to rally Arab and Western nations against the proposal.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday, where Trump’s plan was a key point of discussion.
On Tuesday, Jordan’s King Abdullah II is set to meet Trump at the White House, where the controversial plan is expected to dominate the agenda.
Meanwhile, Arab League leaders are gearing up for an emergency summit in Cairo in two weeks, signaling a unified regional effort to oppose Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future.
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