U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Jordan and Egypt take in Palestinians from war-ravaged Gaza, a proposal that was rejected by Hamas and seemingly rebuffed by both countries.
Trump made the suggestion during a press conference on Saturday, stating that he would like Jordan and Egypt to take in Palestinians from Gaza, adding that it could be a temporary or long-term solution. He also said he would speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday to discuss the issue.
However, both Jordan and Egypt have categorically rejected the idea of Palestinians in Gaza being moved to their countries. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that the country’s stance against any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza remains “firm and unwavering”, while Egypt’s foreign ministry said it rejects any displacement of Palestinians from their land, whether short-term or long-term.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that runs Gaza, also rejected Trump’s proposal, with a senior official saying that Palestinians will not accept any offers or solutions that could lead to their permanent displacement.
The suggestion was also met with criticism from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who condemned Trump’s remarks and said that Palestinians will remain steadfast and will not leave their homeland.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed Trump’s suggestion, calling it an “excellent idea” and saying that he would work to develop a plan to implement it. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected such notions.
The current Gaza conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military assault on Gaza has killed more than 47,000 people, according to the Gaza health ministry. The fighting has currently paused amid a fragile ceasefire.
The proposal has also been met with criticism from rights groups and humanitarian agencies, which have raised concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, said that ethnic cleansing is illegal, immoral and irresponsible.