Trump Sticks to Palestinian Relocation Plan... "Gaza Strip Is a Demolition Site"

Relocation to Jordan and Egypt Discussed
Meeting with Netanyahu Scheduled

U.S. President Donald Trump, ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is maintaining the stance that residents of the Gaza Strip, devastated by the war between Israel and Hamas, should be relocated to neighboring Arab countries.

According to the New York Times (NYT) and others on the 4th (local time), President Trump stated at the White House regarding the Gaza Strip residents, "They currently have no other alternative," and emphasized that the Gaza residents must be relocated to other areas.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

President Trump said, "I don't know how they want to stay there," calling it a "complete demolition site." He added, "If we can find a suitable piece of land, or several pieces of land, and invest enough money to make it a really good place, it would be much better than returning to Gaza."

The NYT interpreted this as President Trump preferring to find new land for Palestinians rather than rebuilding Gaza.

When asked if this constituted forced relocation, President Trump responded, "The reason they are in Gaza is because there is no alternative," and said, "If they had options, they would very much like to leave Gaza."

Earlier, on the 25th of last month, President Trump also urged that Palestinians be relocated from Gaza and called on Egypt and Jordan to accept more people. Arab countries including Egypt and Jordan, as well as the Palestinian Authority, rejected this proposal. Human rights organizations have also criticized it.

According to the British daily The Guardian and others, earlier Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff weighed in on President Trump's remarks, stating that the 3-5 year timeframe for Gaza reconstruction outlined in the three-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is unrealistic.

Envoy Witkoff pointed out that infrastructure such as water and electricity is cut off, unexploded ordnance is scattered everywhere, and buildings could collapse at any time. He estimated, "It will take 3 to 5 years just to clear everything before we can look underground and establish a comprehensive (reconstruction) plan," adding, "It is unfair to tell Palestinians that they can return (home) in 5 years. That just doesn't make sense."

CNN, citing statements from senior U.S. officials, reported that President Trump is focused on removing Hamas from power and preventing it from continuing to govern Gaza. They said, "President Trump views Gaza as a demolition site," and "He sees reconstruction within 3 to 5 years as unrealistic and believes it will take at least 10 to 15 years to restore it to a livable condition."

On this day, President Trump is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is visiting the U.S., to discuss the next steps following the ceasefire.

Israel and Hamas entered the first phase of a ceasefire on the 19th of last month, lasting six weeks, which includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages and 737 Palestinian prisoners. In the second phase, Hamas will return all hostages, and Israel will completely withdraw from Gaza. The third phase involves pursuing a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza.

President Trump proposed relocating Palestinian residents of Gaza to neighboring Arab countries, but this plan has faced opposition from Gaza residents and surrounding countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.