Opposition to Trump’s Gaza plan mounts: Uncertain path forward
Shafaq News/ US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to relocateGaza’s population to Jordan and Egypt hassparked widespread opposition from Arab nations and international actors,setting the stage for a diplomatic standoff that could reshape the region’sfuture.
Gaza is home to more than 2.1 million residents, all of whom areincluded in the US proposal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu haspublicly endorsed the plan, calling it a "revolutionary" approach tohandling Gaza’s post-war reality. However, aside from Netanyahu’s backing, nomajor state or global entity has come forward to support Trump’s proposal, withseveral nations categorically rejecting the forced displacement ofPalestinians.
Trump's plan, which envisions rebuilding Gaza into what he describes asthe "Riviera of the Middle East," has faced resistance from regionalpowers. He has argued that the territory’s population cannot remain duringreconstruction due to the extensive damage caused by Israeli militaryoperations. Yet, Arab nations have been firm in their refusal to acceptdisplaced Palestinians, seeing the plan as a thinly veiled attempt topermanently alter Gaza’s demographic and political landscape.
Arab States Reject Forced Displacement
Jordan and Egypt have emerged as the most vocal opponents of Trump’splan. Jordan's King Abdullah II has categorically rejected any displacement ofPalestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
During his visit to Washington, King Abdullah stressed that "Arabswill respond to Trump's proposal." He also hinted at waiting for Egypt'sformal position on Gaza before taking further action, emphasizing that thematter will be discussed at an upcoming summit in Saudi Arabia.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has made it clear that hisgovernment will not accept any forced relocation of Palestinians into Egyptianterritory. This stance became even more pronounced after Trump threatened tocut US aid to both Egypt and Jordan should they reject the plan. In response,el-Sisi postponed his planned visit to the White House indefinitely,particularly following Trump’s announcement of the initiative alongsideNetanyahu.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty has been holding talks with Arabcounterparts, including officials from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to coordinateefforts against any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians.
A key summit will take place in Riyadh on February 20, 2025, toformulate a collective response.
A source close to the Saudi government told AFP that Egypt will alsohost an emergency Arab summit to address the "grave developments in thePalestinian issue."
Weigh In on Arab Reactions
Political analyst Kamal Zaghloul, an expert on Jordanian affairs, notedthat Israeli "electronic trolls" have been attempting to stirdivision, particularly targeting Jordan’s steadfast opposition to any Israeliannexation of West Bank territories.
Zaghloul emphasized that King Abdullah’s private meeting in Washington,where he reaffirmed his rejection of Palestinian relocation and his support fora two-state solution, was crucial. “Jordan’s recent decision to accept 2,000sick children from Gaza was purely humanitarian and unrelated to any broaderresettlement discussions.”
Political analyst Mijash al-Tamimi argued that cutting US aid to Egyptcould have significant economic consequences. "Trump is exerting enormouspressure on Egypt and Jordan to push forward his plan for full control overGaza. Halting US aid to Egypt—which is already grappling with economichardships—could have a major impact on its stability," he said in aninterview with Shafaq News.
"With an emergency Arab summit planned in Egypt, Qatar and SaudiArabia are also working closely to dissuade Trump from implementing his visionfor Gaza," he added.
According to al-Tamimi, Trump may try to “lure Palestinians with majoreconomic incentives,” considering the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza."With a complete collapse of services and no hope for a secure future, wecan expect further developments in the coming months as Trump, with Israelisupport, moves forward with his project to transform Gaza into a touristdestination," he predicted.
Similarly, General Samir Faraj, former director of Egypt’s MoraleAffairs Department, reaffirmed Egypt’s firm opposition to settling Palestiniansin its territory, including the Sinai Peninsula. "This decision remainsunchanged despite potential challenges such as economic aid cuts," hesaid.
Faraj also warned that Trump's statements pose a "real and ongoingthreat" and urged Egypt to prepare multiple diplomatic strategies tocounter US pressure, including forming new international alliances to mitigatepotential economic repercussions.
Meanwhile, political researcher Ramadan Al-Badran suggested that Trump'sintentions for Gaza may not be purely punitive but rather an attempt to improveliving conditions through organized relocation. However, he acknowledged that“the lack of clarity surrounding the plan makes it difficult to gain widerinternational acceptance.”
International Opposition and Growing Public Backlash
The opposition to Trump’s Gaza plan is not limited to Arab nations. Threeout of four Americans—74%—oppose the US taking control of Gaza and displacingPalestinians, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted February 7-9. Thepoll found Republicans divided on the issue, with 55% opposed and 43% insupport.
Additionally, over 90 American and international organizations signed astatement condemning Trump's remarks, describing them as a call for"ethnic cleansing."
Among the signatories were the Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR), Doctors Against Genocide, the Progressive Democrats Coalition, JewishVoice for Peace, and Churches for Middle East Peace.
Beyond the US, several international actors have voiced strongopposition. French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the plan, stating thatthe solution to Gaza's crisis must be political rather than a matter of realestate development.
The Vatican and the United Nations have also issued statements warning againstany forced displacement of Palestinians.
