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Palestinians Decry Trump’s Plan To ‘Clean Out’ Gaza

Palestine
Photo credit: AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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Palestinians have strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to displace residents of the Gaza Strip and relocate them to Egypt and Jordan—a suggestion that has sparked accusations of advocating ethnic cleansing.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump called for the “cleaning out” of the besieged Gaza Strip, urging the leaders of Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinians, either temporarily or permanently.

The proposal was firmly rejected by Palestinians on Sunday. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) declared the plan a breach of its “red lines,” while Gaza residents expressed their determination to remain in their homeland.

In a statement, the PA said the proposal “constitutes a blatant violation of the red lines we have consistently warned against.”

“We emphasise that the Palestinian people will never abandon their land or their holy sites, and we will not allow the repetition of the catastrophes (Nakba) of 1948 and 1967. Our people will remain steadfast and will not leave their homeland,” it said.

The PA urged President Trump to focus on sustaining the Gaza ceasefire agreement, ensuring the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, reinstating the PA as the governing authority in Gaza, and advancing efforts toward establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Hamas, the group governing Gaza, called on the U.S. administration to abandon proposals it described as aligning with Israeli “schemes” and conflicting with Palestinian rights. Hamas criticized these proposals, emphasizing that Palestinians have already endured “the most heinous acts of genocide” and displacement since Israel initiated its war on Gaza in October 2023.

Egypt, Jordan Reject Palestinian Displacement Proposals

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians in a statement on Sunday. While it did not directly address Trump, the ministry emphasized Egypt’s opposition to “the displacement of Palestinians from their land through forced eviction,” warning that such actions would threaten regional stability, escalate the conflict, and hinder prospects for peace and coexistence.

Similarly, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stressed the country’s commitment to ensuring Palestinians remain on their land, stating, “Our refusal of displacement is a steadfast position that will not change. Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians.”

Safadi expressed a willingness to work with the new U.S. administration, noting Trump’s stated desire to achieve peace in the region. He reiterated Jordan’s unwavering support for a two-state solution, a sentiment echoed by Egypt, which called on the international community to back efforts toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state framework.

Trump’s Remarks Stir Concerns

Trump’s remarks come 15 months into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has devastated Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have reportedly damaged or destroyed approximately 60% of buildings, including schools and hospitals, while around 92% of homes have been affected, according to UN data.

The UN estimates that about 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with many residents forced to relocate multiple times, some over ten times.

Trump’s statements mark a significant departure from decades of U.S. foreign policy, which has traditionally supported a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Concerns persist in the region over fears that Israel might seek to displace Palestinians from Gaza into neighboring countries—an allegation denied by Israel but advocated by far-right elements within its governing coalition.