President Donald Trump's proposal for the United States to "take over" Gaza has drawn widespread condemnation from Arab nations in the Middle East, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
After discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries and implementing a U.S.-led reconstruction effort following the devastating war since Hamas forces attacked Israel from the territory on October 7, 2023.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Trump's proposal could raise doubts over long-standing international calls for a two-state solution with a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Palestinians say relocation would mean an erosion of their aim of statehood and their demand of a "right of return". The backlash from key Arab nations highlights the diplomatic strain.
What To Know
Saudi Arabia firmly opposed Trump's suggestions, saying that any displacement of Palestinians is unacceptable. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the kingdom's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to a Palestinian state based on the borders before the 1967 Middle East War with East Jerusalem as its capital. In 1967, Israel captured Gaza from Egypt and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel without a firm commitment to Palestinian statehood.
Egyptian Push Back
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in a recent phone call with Trump, rejected any proposal that would force Palestinians out of Gaza. Sisi said the crisis was complex and that any resolution must respect Palestinian sovereignty. Egypt also has a strongly fortified land border with Gaza and has sought to prevent any mass movement of Palestinians.
Jordanian Meeting
Jordanian King Abdullah II, who is set to meet Trump on February 11, has also strongly opposed the plan. Jordan, home to a significant Palestinian population, says that peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution, not through forced relocation.
The Jordan News Agency reported that Abdullah emphasized the necessity of recognizing Palestinian rights for any sustainable resolution to the conflict.
How Did the Latest Conflict in Gaza Start?
The conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting more than 200 as hostages.
Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza since then has resulted in more than 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities. The figures provided by the ministry do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israel says it has killed some 17,000 Hamas fighters without providing evidence.
The war has been by far the deadliest in the Gaza Strip, but there have been repeated rounds of conflict since Israel withdrew troops and Jewish settlers from the territory in 2005. Hamas, which took power in Gaza in 2007, is committed to destroying Israel and replacing it with an Islamic state.
What People Are Saying
Saudi Foreign Ministry statement: "Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that."
Riyad Mansour, UN envoy for Palestine: "Our homeland is our homeland, if part of it is destroyed, the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian people selected the choice to return to it."
What Happens Next
Trump's upcoming meeting with King Abdullah II may further define how the region responds to his proposal. Meanwhile, opposition from key Arab states could signal that any plan that does not offer a path to Palestinian statehood could face resistance on the global stage.
About the writer
Amir Daftari is a Newsweek reporter based in London, specializing in global affairs with a focus on the Middle East. ... Read more