US President Donald Trump has suggested that Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations could accept more Palestinian refugees. He believes this would help ease Gaza’s situation and create a chance for rebuilding.
In a 20-minute Q&A aboard Air Force One, Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” following the Israel-Hamas war. He said he had discussed the issue with King Abdullah II of Jordan and planned to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. “I’d love you to take on more because Gaza is a real mess,” Trump told King Abdullah.
Trump didn’t specify whether his suggestion was short-term or long-term. He said it could be “either.” He estimated that about 1.5 million people could move, helping to clear the area. Gaza’s population is around 2.3 million.
Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future
Trump had previously suggested that rebuilding Gaza could turn it into a thriving area, even “better than Monaco.” He highlighted its strategic location near the sea and its pleasant weather. “It’s a demolition site now,” Trump said. “Everything is demolished, and people are suffering.” He added that Arab nations could build housing elsewhere, allowing Palestinians to live in peace.
For many Palestinians, such proposals evoke memories of the “Nakba” — the mass displacement during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel has denied any plan to relocate Gaza’s population. However, some Israeli officials support the idea of Gazans leaving the area.
This isn’t the first time Trump has discussed Gaza’s future. He previously suggested the area needed to be “rebuilt differently.” He pointed out its potential for development due to the sea and climate. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, had also proposed removing civilians from Gaza to unlock its real estate potential.
Recently, Trump praised the temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and welcomed the prisoner exchange. However, the path to a long-term resolution remains unclear. Talks for the second phase, involving the release of all hostages and long-term peace, have not yet begun.
