China opposes forced displacement of Palestinians, Arab leaders condemn Trump’s Gaza plan

China has firmly opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians amid reports of a proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Gaza’s residents elsewhere.

The remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a press briefing on Wednesday, reinforcing Beijing's stance on the territorial integrity of Gaza. "Gaza belongs to the Palestinians and is an integral part of Palestinian territory. We oppose the forced displacement of the people of Gaza," said Guo.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit also denounced the idea, labeling any attempt to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank as "unacceptable" and a direct threat to the region's stability.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, he warned that this could be an attempt to erase Palestine’s historical inhabitants and strongly rejected any forced population movement. "The focus today is on Gaza. Tomorrow, it will shift to the West Bank, with the objective of emptying Palestine of its people. The Arab world has fought against this idea for a century, and we will not accept it now," said Aboul Gheit.

Trump’s proposed resettlement plan for Gaza has drawn sharp criticism from Arab and international leaders, who fear it could exacerbate tensions in the Middle East and undermine efforts for peace.

Trump’s unexpected declaration that the U.S. would take over Gaza, resettle its over two million inhabitants, and develop the area into a "Riviera of the Middle East" has sparked widespread condemnation. Many Arab officials have warned that such a move could threaten the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, increasing the risk of further conflict and instability in the region.

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has seen Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions remain high. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that if Hamas failed to release hostages by midday Saturday, military action against the group would resume. Hamas, in response, reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire but accused Israel of violating the agreement.

Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians from Gaza could be resettled in neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt has been rejected outright by both governments.

For Jordan, the idea is seen as a threat to its national identity, given its already large Palestinian refugee population. The notion of turning Jordan into an alternative Palestinian homeland has long been promoted by ultra-nationalist Israeli factions, making the proposal even more controversial.

Similarly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has opposed the plan, citing security concerns over Hamas and other Islamist groups, which he views as a potentially destabilising force.

In response to the growing crisis, Egypt has announced an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to discuss the serious developments affecting Palestinians. Aboul Gheit also stated that the Arab Peace Initiative, first proposed in 2002, may be reintroduced as a potential solution. The initiative calls for full Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories in exchange for normalised relations with Arab nations.

Trump’s proposal marks a sharp departure from the longstanding U.S. policy of supporting a two-state solution, raising concerns about its potential impact on regional peace efforts.