Washington, February 5, 2025 – The Europe Today: Former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed the permanent resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” unfit for habitation and suggested alternative locations for the displaced population.
“You can’t live in Gaza right now, and I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy,” Trump stated at a joint press conference with Netanyahu. He emphasized the need to resettle Palestinians in “beautiful homes” in a secure environment.
The meeting took place amid a fragile six-week ceasefire following 15 months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to the United Nations, over 1.9 million people—more than 90% of Gaza’s population—have been displaced since the war began in October 2023. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that nearly 92% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged.
Trump suggested that Jordan and Egypt should host the displaced population, despite strong opposition from Arab nations. A joint statement from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League categorically rejected any form of forced displacement, warning that such actions could escalate regional tensions and hinder long-term peace efforts.
While Netanyahu did not directly address Trump’s proposal, he thanked the former U.S. president for his role in the ceasefire. He reiterated Israel’s key objectives: securing the release of all hostages, dismantling Hamas’s military and governing structures, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a security threat to Israel.
