Former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced support for the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, suggesting they should move to “safer” and “better” land in response to the destruction caused by Israel’s military operations against Hamas.
His remarks align with a controversial idea that has faced strong resistance from Palestinians and neighboring Arab nations.
Ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump reiterated his stance, proposing that Palestinians could be resettled in Jordan or Egypt—an idea that both countries have repeatedly rejected.
“I would think that they would be thrilled,” Trump said, claiming that many Palestinians would prefer to leave Gaza given the current conditions. He described Gaza as a “pure demolition site” after months of conflict and questioned why anyone would want to return.
“Gaza is not a place for people to be living,” he stated from the Oval Office. “If they had an alternative, they’d much rather not go back and live in a beautiful, safe place.”
He suggested identifying a suitable location for displaced Palestinians, mentioning Jordan, Egypt, and other areas as potential options. “You’d have people living in a place that could be very beautiful and nice. Gaza’s been a disaster for decades,” he added.
When asked about the reaction from Palestinian and Arab leaders, Trump responded, “I don’t know how they could want to stay.” He also questioned whether Palestinians should have the right to return to Gaza after reconstruction, stating, “It would be my hope that we could do something really nice, really good, where they wouldn’t want to return.”
His comments have drawn criticism from Palestinian leaders and human rights groups, who argue that forced displacement would violate international law.
Both Jordan and Egypt have repeatedly rejected any plans to absorb Palestinian refugees, emphasizing the need for a long-term political solution rather than mass relocation.