Trump Suggests Jordan and Egypt Accept More Palestinians from War-Torn Gaza
In a recent development, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Jordan and Egypt should receive more Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip, which has been ravaged by a 15-month war. This proposal has sparked concerns among the 2.3 million residents of Gaza about potential displacement from their coastal enclave.
According to Reuters, the American proposal also raises alarms among Arab nations, who consistently fear that mass displacement could destabilize the region.
The history of Palestinian displacement dates back to what is known as the “Nakba” in 1948 when around 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes following the establishment of Israel. Many sought refuge in Arab countries, with their descendants still living in refugee camps, while others settled in Gaza.
The latest wave of conflict has seen unprecedented Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults in Gaza, leading to the destruction of urban areas. Palestinians and UN officials state that there are no safe zones left in Gaza for shelter. Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced multiple times during the Israeli military operation that began post-October 7th. Palestinian health officials report that the Israeli campaign has resulted in over 47,000 deaths in Gaza since then.
Before launching its attack on Gaza, Israel initially requested that Palestinians in northern Gaza
move to what they claimed were safe areas in the south, but as the assault expanded, they were
directed further south towards Rafah. The UN estimates that approximately 85% of Gaza’s 2.3
million residents, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, have been displaced from
their homes.
Many Palestinians have expressed to Reuters that they would not leave Gaza even if given the
opportunity, fearing a repeat of the 1948 displacement. Egypt and other Arab states have strongly
opposed any attempts to push Palestinians across their borders. From the early days of the
conflict, Arab governments, particularly Egypt and Jordan, have insisted that Palestinians must
not be expelled from lands they seek for their future state, which includes the West Bank and
Gaza Strip.
On Sunday,
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed his country’s stance against the
displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing that a two-state solution is the path to
peace and that their rejection of displacement is firm and unchangeable.
UN officials share similar concerns about a mass displacement. Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-
Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated last
February that the idea of people in Gaza moving to a safe place was merely an “illusion”.
Conversely, statements from Israeli officials, particularly from hardliners like Finance Minister
Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have encouraged the
emigration of Gaza’s population.
