Palestinians will lose rights to their land and have no alternative but to leave: Trump

US President Donald Trump, whose proposal to take over Gaza drew much acceptance among right-wing Israelis, stood firm with his words, saying “he will own it” and “more than 2 million Palestinians have no right to return, that they have no alternative but to leave,” which was his response to a query about the fate of Palestinians' habitat.

Trump’s proposal to turn Gaza into a real estate destination, along with his request for neighbouring Arab countries to accommodate more than 2 million Palestinians, faced strong criticism not only from Palestinians and Arab leaders but also from global leaders, including those from Germany, the UK, Australia, and France, with the UN warning that there is no international law to justify it and that it would be considered a crime.

During a televised interview, Trump described his vision for Gaza’s future, suggesting the construction of new housing settlements outside the enclave where displaced Palestinians would be relocated, a move that many have interpreted as an endorsement of ethnic cleansing.

The proposal includes the establishment of up to six new sites for Palestinian resettlement, despite repeated rejections from Egypt and Jordan, which have stated that such a plan is a non-starter. His remarks have further intensified concerns over the forced displacement of Palestinians, as international legal experts have warned that such an action would constitute a violation of international law.

The lack of serious discussions within the US government about the feasibility of implementing Trump’s plan has raised questions about its practicality, as neither the Pentagon nor the State Department has taken steps to address the legal and logistical challenges of the proposal.

However, the announcement has been welcomed by Israel’s far-right settler movement and evangelical groups in the US, who have long advocated for the annexation of Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank. The endorsement from these groups has reinforced fears among Palestinians and Arab states that efforts are being made to alter the demographic composition of Gaza permanently.

The head of the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has described Trump’s proposal as an international crime, highlighting that the forced displacement of an occupied group amounts to ethnic cleansing.

The remarks align with longstanding international legal principles that prohibit the removal of people from their land against their will, particularly in conflict zones. The historical context of Palestinian displacement has also been underscored, with over 1.5 million Palestinians and their descendants currently residing in refugee camps in various countries across the Middle East, having been displaced during the 1948 Arab–Israeli war.

Egypt has taken a strong stance against Trump’s plan, with its foreign minister reiterating Arab states’ rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians during a meeting with the US secretary of state in Washington.

The Egyptian government has emphasized the importance of supporting Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring that Palestinians remain in their homeland, warning that any attempt to force their relocation would exacerbate regional instability.

Egypt’s position aligns with that of other Arab nations, which have consistently rejected any suggestion that Palestinians should be expelled from Gaza, reaffirming their commitment to securing a just and comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.