US President Donald Trump’s plan to forcibly transfer hundreds of thousands of Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip and develop it as a tourist destination has sent shockwaves through the region. The proposal, which is seen as an attempt to drive Palestinians from their homeland, faces significant obstacles.
Many Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan, have condemned the plan and rejected Trump’s suggestion that they take in more Palestinian refugees. Saudi Arabia also issued a rare statement rejecting the idea of transfer and reiterated its stance on not normalizing relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Palestinians view Gaza as an integral part of their national homeland and aspire to an independent state, but many are unlikely to leave due to concerns over their ancestral homes in Israel. Both Hamas and the Western-backed Palestinian Authority have vehemently condemned Trump’s proposal.
The plan also risks undermining the ceasefire in Gaza and the continued release of hostages taken during a recent Hamas attack. While some Israeli leaders have welcomed the idea, others prioritize the return of all hostages as a key goal.
It remains to be seen whether Trump’s proposal will be scaled back or put on hold in exchange for concessions from Arab leaders. The plan has sparked a mix of reactions across the region, with some viewing it as an opening gambit in a bargaining process aimed at securing a Middle East mega-deal.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-trump-gaza-egypt-saudi-2b1af11c18bf7d5d9aedef68aaba4c00