Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of the Gaza Strip and resettle its residents externally has drawn widespread condemnation from Middle Eastern leaders. During a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that displaced Palestinians should be permanently relocated outside Gaza, with the US assuming responsibility for redevelopment efforts in the area.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, reflecting Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s view, asserted that the Palestinian people should remain steadfast in their land despite Trump’s comments, emphasizing the international community’s obligation to alleviate their suffering. Similarly, Hamas firmly rejected Trump’s assertions, labelling them as a strategy that would exacerbate chaos in the region.
Additionally, the general consensus among Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and the Arab League is that relocating Gazans is impractical. Experts express doubt regarding Trump’s ability to implement such a plan, viewing it as a potentially provocative negotiation tactic rather than a concrete strategy for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jared Mondschein from the United States Studies Centre noted that relocating a significant portion of Gaza’s two million inhabitants is unlikely to provide a solution, although it might prompt regional neighbours to engage more actively in addressing the ongoing crisis.