On Thursday, Israel announced preparations for the potential relocation of a significant number of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in accordance with President Trump’s controversial plan. This proposal has drawn international condemnation, prompting US officials to clarify that any relocation would be temporary. Egypt, concerned about regional stability and the implications for its longstanding peace treaty with Israel, has been actively working behind the scenes to oppose the plan and maintain its position on Palestinian statehood.
President Trump has suggested that the United States would take control of Gaza’s rebuilding, envisioning it as a future “Riviera of the Middle East,” while insisting that no US troops would be deployed. However, the Palestinians have firmly rejected this proposal, citing fears that it would permanently prevent their return to their homeland. Egypt’s President el-Sissi has been vocal about the threats the plan poses to national security, delivering a clear message to both the US and Israel regarding Cairo’s stance.
The consensus among Arab nations, including pivotal players like Saudi Arabia and Jordan, is an outright rejection of the mass relocation of Palestinians. Observers, including Human Rights Watch, warn that such actions could be interpreted as ethnic cleansing, further complicating an already delicate situation in the region.