In a controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed relocating hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, an area with a pre-war population of 2.3 million. Trump's suggestion to "just clean out" Gaza has sparked widespread condemnation and rejection from both regional allies and international organizations. Allies such as Jordan and Egypt firmly opposed the idea, while Palestinian leaders and rights groups labeled it as an attempt at ethnic cleansing. The proposal has also been criticized for its lack of clarity regarding potential relocation destinations and its failure to consider the wishes of the Palestinian people.
The proposal has not gained support among key U.S. allies. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized his country's unwavering rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians, echoing sentiments across the region. Egypt has similarly dismissed the notion, aligning with other regional actors in opposing the plan.
"The Palestinian people are not willing to abandon Gaza, and neighbouring countries are not willing to help Israel ethnically cleanse Gaza," stated the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), highlighting the strong resistance to Trump's proposal.
Mustafa Barghouti, a senior Palestinian politician, also expressed his complete rejection of Trump's comments, asserting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in remaining in their homeland.
"The Palestinian people firmly believe that this land is theirs, this soil is their soil," declared Magdy Seidam, reinforcing the deep-rooted connection Palestinians have with their land.
Critics have described Trump's suggestion as a continuation of aggressive policies by his administration, which has maintained strong support for Israel. This includes appointing hardliners who favor Israeli expansion into key positions. Despite these alliances, the Israeli government has yet to present any clear vision for postwar governance in Gaza.
"To ‘clean’ Gaza immediately after the war would in fact be a continuation of the war, through the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people," warned Hassan Jabareen, director of the Palestinian rights group Adalah.
Trump proposed that Palestinians could relocate to neighboring countries either temporarily or long-term. However, he has not specified which nations would be willing to accept these refugees. Indonesia was mentioned as a potential destination, but Jakarta has denied any knowledge of such plans.
Meanwhile, Hamas officials have categorically rejected Trump's proposal. They stated that those who survived the war would not abandon Gaza during peacetime. Qatari officials, who played a mediating role in pausing the conflict in Gaza, have described any plan involving relocation or reoccupation as crossing a "red line."
“This is evidenced by the fact that no one considers what the Gazans want, when they have barely started clearing out the rubble, finding the remains of their loved ones buried there,” commented Omer Shatz, highlighting the lack of consideration for Palestinian perspectives in such proposals.
While Trump suggests working with Arab nations to build housing for displaced Palestinians elsewhere, critics argue that this overlooks the fundamental rights and desires of the Palestinian people.
"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,’" Trump remarked, drawing significant backlash for what many perceive as an insensitive approach to a complex humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced support for the relocation idea, describing it as a "great idea" and expressing intentions to develop an operational plan with the Prime Minister and cabinet.
“This is a call for ethnic cleansing that echoes calls from extremist Israeli politicians and public figures dating to the start of the war,” asserted Omer Shatz, further criticizing Trump's proposal.