Palestinians will have no right of return to Gaza under US plan: Trump
3 Min Read
Trump justified the plan by arguing that Gaza is currently uninhabitable due to the devastation caused by the war.
-
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he prepares to sign a proclamation declaring Feb. 9 Gulf of America Day as he travels from West Palm Beach, Fla. to New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
In an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, US President Donald Trump suggested that under his controversial plan, Palestinians would not have the right to return to Gaza. When asked directly whether displaced Palestinians would be allowed back, he responded, "No, they wouldn't, because they're going to have much better housing."
Trump's proposal includes building multiple resettlement sites outside of Gaza for those displaced by the ongoing war, though he did not specify exact locations. "Could be five, six, could be two. But we'll build safe communities, a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is," he said.
He justified the plan by arguing that Gaza is currently uninhabitable due to the devastation caused by the war. "In other words, I'm talking about building a permanent place for them because if they have to return now, it'll be years before you could ever—it's not habitable."
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump first introduced the concept, dubbing his ethnic cleansing plan as a "real estate development for the future" and adding, "In the meantime, I would own this. Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent."
Displacement Rejected
While the plan was welcomed by Israeli officials, it has faced strong opposition from Palestinian leaders and Arab states, who reject forced displacement as unacceptable. Although Trump suggested that Egypt and Jordan could take in those relocated from Gaza, officials from both countries have already dismissed the idea.
This proposal has further escalated tensions over the future of Gaza, with critics warning that mass relocation would exacerbate regional instability rather than resolve the conflict.
Last Thursday, Netanyahu suggested that Saudi Arabia could establish a Palestinian state within its own territory, stating, "The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there." His remarks drew swift condemnation from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which issued statements on Sunday denouncing the proposal.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the Arab and Islamic worlds and expressed appreciation for international rejection of Netanyahu's statements. The UAE's Minister of State, Khalifa Bin Shaheen Al Marar, condemned Netanyahu's remarks as a "blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter."
He affirmed the UAE's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stressing that the Kingdom's sovereignty is a 'red line' that must not be crossed. Al Marar also reiterated the UAE's firm opposition to any attempt to infringe on Palestinian rights or displace them, calling for an immediate halt to settlement activities that threaten regional stability and obstruct peace efforts.
Read more: Netanyahu's remarks meant to distract from Gaza war crimes: S. Arabia
The full Fox News interview, where Trump elaborates on his vision, is set to air Monday, following a preview that was broadcast ahead of the Super Bowl.
