What Happened
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Palestinians displaced from Gaza will not have the right to return under his proposed plan. Speaking in an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Trump claimed that Palestinians have “no alternative” but to leave Gaza due to the devastation caused by Israel’s military operations.
His remarks mark one of the most explicit endorsements of the forced displacement of Palestinians by a U.S. leader. The comments come after Trump held a summit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he unveiled his controversial vision for Gaza’s future. The plan has sparked outrage across the Arab world and concern among international observers.
Trump's Plan
Trump suggested that the U.S. should “own” Gaza and develop it as a “real estate project for the future.” He described the land as having “no big money spent” and positioned it as an opportunity for future development.
Under his plan, Palestinians displaced by the war would be relocated to newly built refugee camps outside Gaza. Trump claimed these camps would provide “better housing” and “safe communities.”
He proposed building up to six such settlements, though he did not specify where they would be located.
He also reiterated his call for Palestinians to be resettled in Egypt and Jordan—an idea that both countries have firmly rejected. The plan has been dismissed by major Arab states as unrealistic and unacceptable.
No Right of Return
When asked directly whether Palestinians would be allowed to return to Gaza, Trump replied, “No, they wouldn’t because they’re going to have much better housing.” He argued that Gaza is “not habitable” and that rebuilding it would take years. Instead, he insisted that permanent relocation was the only viable option.
His proposal, however, lacks legal or logistical planning. So far, there has been no serious discussion within the U.S. government about how such a mass relocation would be implemented. The Pentagon and the State Department have not outlined any policies or steps to carry out Trump’s vision.
International Backlash
United Nations Response: The UN’s top human rights investigator, Navi Pillay, condemned Trump’s plan, calling it an “international crime” and stating that it amounts to ethnic cleansing. She emphasized that forcibly displacing an occupied population is a violation of international law.
Arab Nations: Countries in the region, including Egypt and Jordan, have rejected any proposal that forces Palestinians out of their homeland.
Israel's Far-Right and Evangelicals: While Trump’s remarks have sparked global criticism, they have been welcomed by Israel’s far-right settler movement and evangelical allies in the U.S., who support the annexation of Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank.
The Bigger Picture
The issue of Palestinian displacement is deeply rooted in history. More than 1.5 million Palestinians and their descendants who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war currently live in refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank. The right of return for Palestinian refugees has long been a key issue in peace negotiations, and Trump’s outright dismissal of this right further complicates the situation.
His remarks signal a dramatic shift in U.S. policy on Gaza, raising questions about the potential consequences for regional stability. Critics argue that forcibly relocating Palestinians would not only violate international law but also deepen tensions in the Middle East, making any future resolution even more difficult.
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