Former President Donald Trump has stated that Palestinians who were displaced from Gaza will not have the right to return under a proposed U.S. plan. Speaking in a Fox News interview, Trump said that rather than allowing people to return to the war-ravaged region, they would be provided with permanent housing elsewhere.
“No, they wouldn’t,” Trump said when asked if Palestinians would have the right to return. “Because they’re going to have much better housing … if they have to return now, it will be years before you could ever — it’s not habitable.”
Trump also suggested that he could make a deal with Egypt and Jordan to take in displaced Palestinians. However, both countries have previously rejected this idea. Jordan’s King Abdullah II has repeatedly stated that Jordan will not accept refugees, emphasizing this position since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023.
The issue of Gaza’s future is expected to be a key topic during King Abdullah’s upcoming meeting with Trump at the White House. Meanwhile, Egypt has called for an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to discuss new developments affecting the Palestinian cause.
Trump first introduced his proposal during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He suggested that the U.S. should take control of Gaza, oversee its reconstruction, and remove any remaining weapons and explosives. He even proposed transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The plan has faced criticism both in the U.S. and internationally. A recent CBS News/YouGov poll found that only 13% of Americans support the U.S. taking control of Gaza, while 47% oppose the idea. The remaining 40% were either unsure or believed it would depend on the circumstances.
Following backlash, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to clarify Trump’s remarks. She stated that the former president’s approach was “humanitarian” and that any relocation of Palestinians would be temporary to allow for reconstruction.
Despite these assurances, Trump’s proposal has raised serious concerns among Palestinians, Middle Eastern leaders, and human rights organizations. Critics argue that denying Palestinians the right of return would further complicate the already fragile situation in the region.
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