Trump's Gaza comments raise concerns among Arab allies: WP
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Arab leaders are concerned that Trump’s remarks about Gaza could jeopardize future cooperation with his administration.
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Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip following the Israeli decision to allow thousands of them to go back for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month genocide, on January 27, 2025. (AP)
In a statement on Saturday, US President Donald Trump told reporters he wanted to "clean out" Gaza by deporting part of its population to neighboring Jordan and Egypt.
The remarks, seen as impulsive rather than a calculated policy, alarmed Arab leaders who had been cautiously optimistic about cooperating with his administration.
From an Arab perspective, the forced deportation of Palestinians is a deeply destabilizing move that could inflame tensions and threaten the stability of moderate governments across the region.
That said, Trump enjoys being a disruptor, which is described like "tossing a grenade," according to The Washington Post.
Jordanian, Egyptian officials refuse 'influx of refugees'
According to the report, one Arab official suggested that Trump could be reflecting on business development ideas, rather than a foreign policy initiative.
“It’s literally a demolition site right now,” Trump said of Gaza, adding that “I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change.”
Trump's comments came after a conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan who looks forward to cooperating with Trump, but not destabilizing his country with a "new influx of refugees," according to WP.
In turn, Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, stated that Jordan’s opposition to the displacement of Palestinians is "firm and will not change."
Additionally, the Egyptian Embassy shared a 2023 statement by its ambassador, Motaz Zahran, on Sunday, asserting that “Egypt cannot be part of any solution involving the transfer of Palestinians into Sinai.”
The report suggested that even Trump’s Arab supporters were "dismayed".
“We categorically reject the president’s suggestion that the Palestinians in Gaza be moved — apparently forcefully — to either Egypt or Jordan,” said Bishara Bahbah, chairman of Arab Americans for Trump. “We don’t need wildish claims or statements relating to the fate of the Palestinians.”
Trump wants to 'clear out' Gaza
In his statement, Trump suggested a controversial plan to "just clean out" Gaza through the mass expulsion of its population to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, framing the proposal as a step toward "Middle East peace."
Labeling Gaza a "demolition site" in the aftermath of the Israeli genocide, Trump revealed he had discussed the idea with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and planned further talks with Egypt’s leadership.
"I'd like Egypt to take people. And I'd like Jordan to take people," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
He estimated that "probably a million and a half people" could be moved, adding, "We just clean out that whole thing. You know, over the centuries it's had many, many conflicts, that site. And I don't know, something has to happen."
Trump suggested "the relocations" could be temporary or potentially permanent. "It's literally a demolition site right now, almost everything is demolished and people are dying there," he remarked.
Proposing collaboration with Arab nations, Trump said, "I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location where they can maybe live in peace for a change."
Read next: UNRWA accuses "Israel" of preparing Gaza residents expulsion to Egypt
