President Donald Trump has proposed that Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations increase their intake of Palestinian refugees from Gaza. Trump suggested that relocating a significant portion of Gaza’s population could transform the area into what he described as a “clean slate.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump announced the resumption of delivering 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, a move reversing restrictions imposed during President Joe Biden’s administration. These restrictions aimed to reduce civilian casualties during Israel’s conflict with Hamas. “We released them today,” Trump stated, explaining that Israel had purchased the bombs and had been waiting for them.
Trump, a strong supporter of Israel, revealed that he had spoken with King Abdullah II of Jordan and planned to discuss the situation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. He praised Jordan’s acceptance of Palestinian refugees and suggested the country could take in more, referring to the Gaza Strip as being in a state of severe devastation.
The idea of displacing Gaza’s residents is likely to face resistance due to the Palestinians’ deep-rooted connection to the region. Nevertheless, Trump remarked that the area has faced numerous conflicts over centuries and floated the idea of relocating its people, either temporarily or permanently. “It’s literally a demolition site right now,” he said, suggesting that Arab nations could help by building housing elsewhere for displaced individuals.
No immediate response came from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office regarding Trump’s comments.
Trump has previously shared unconventional views on Gaza, describing it as a region with great potential due to its coastal location and favorable climate. He suggested in earlier remarks that it could be redeveloped in a significantly different way.
The resumption of bomb deliveries marks a significant policy shift from the Biden administration. In May 2023, Biden paused these deliveries as part of an effort to prevent Israel from escalating its offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza. Despite the hold, Israel eventually captured Rafah after most civilians had fled. Biden had cited concerns over civilian casualties in justifying the delay.
Trump’s decision aligns with the first stage of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which has temporarily halted fighting and facilitated the exchange of hostages and prisoners. However, negotiations on the ceasefire’s next phase, including the release of remaining hostages and a lasting cessation of hostilities, remain unresolved. If progress stalls, Israel has warned it could resume military operations against Hamas, which initiated a large-scale attack on October 7, 2023.
