On Saturday, a powerful coalition of Arab nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League, rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries. This came after Trump proposed the idea of resettling Gaza’s population in Egypt or Jordan, claiming that such a move would help alleviate the situation in Gaza, which has been devastated by months of conflict.
Trump’s controversial proposal was made in the wake of the destruction caused by Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas, which has left much of Gaza in ruins. Trump suggested that resettling the 2.3 million people in Gaza could be either a temporary or long-term solution, further fueling debates over the future of the Palestinian people and their territories.
In a joint statement, Arab leaders strongly rejected the idea, warning that such plans could destabilize the region, escalate the conflict, and undermine the chances for peace and coexistence. The statement followed a diplomatic meeting in Cairo, attended by top officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, as well as Palestinian Authority officials and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.
The Arab nations reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Trump administration to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on a two-state solution, which envisions the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. They also emphasized the need for international support in rebuilding Gaza, ensuring that Palestinians remain on their land.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi publicly rejected Trump’s proposal in a press conference, stating that the transfer of Palestinians could never be tolerated. He reiterated that the solution to the issue lies in the establishment of a Palestinian state, not in the displacement of its people.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed this sentiment, declaring his country’s firm opposition to the idea. Both Egypt and Jordan expressed concern about the long-term implications of such a move, fearing that Israel might prevent Palestinians from returning to Gaza once they have been relocated. Additionally, both nations are already home to large Palestinian populations, with Jordan hosting over 2 million Palestinians, while Egypt warned of the potential security risks posed by resettling large numbers of Palestinians, especially in its Sinai Peninsula region.
The proposal has sparked significant concern in the Arab world, as Egypt and Jordan continue to support the creation of a Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East War. These nations, along with the Palestinians, are calling for a peaceful resolution that respects Palestinian sovereignty and human rights.
