Israel has initiated preparations for the potential relocation of a significant number of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, aligning with a controversial proposal put forth by former President Donald Trump. This plan has faced widespread international condemnation and has sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity, particularly from Egypt, which is working to counter the initiative behind the scenes.
On Thursday, Israeli officials announced that they are making arrangements to facilitate the emigration of Palestinians through land, sea, and air routes. This move follows Trump’s assertion that Israel would hand over control of Gaza to the United States after the ongoing conflict, while asserting that no American military personnel would be necessary for the redevelopment of the area.
The Trump administration has since revised aspects of the proposal, indicating that the relocation of Palestinians would be temporary. However, details regarding the execution of this plan remain vague, with U.S. officials providing little clarity on its timeline or logistics.
The proposal has been met with fierce resistance from Palestinian leaders, who fear that such a plan would permanently deny them the right to return to their homeland. Egypt has also expressed strong opposition, warning that the mass expulsion of Palestinians could destabilize the region and threaten its longstanding peace treaty with Israel, which has been a cornerstone of stability and U.S. influence in the area for decades.
Saudi Arabia, another key ally of the U.S., has similarly rejected the idea of relocating Palestinians, insisting that normalization of relations with Israel hinges on the establishment of a Palestinian state that includes Gaza.
While Trump and Israeli officials have characterized the proposed relocation as voluntary, there is widespread skepticism among Palestinians about this claim. Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups have labeled the plan as an instance of "ethnic cleansing," suggesting that it would forcibly displace an entire ethnic group from their homeland.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that military preparations are underway to facilitate the movement of Palestinians out of Gaza, although no visible signs of such preparations have emerged on the ground as of yet.
In response to Trump’s proposal, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has not publicly commented but has reportedly communicated to U.S. officials that any attempt to relocate Palestinians will be met with resistance. Egyptian officials have conveyed their concerns to the Pentagon, State Department, and members of Congress, asserting that the plan poses a direct threat to Egypt’s national security.
The Egyptian government remains committed to the creation of a Palestinian state encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories that Israel captured during the 1967 war. In recent discussions, top diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have united in their rejection of any mass transfer of Palestinians.
Egypt’s state-run media has echoed these sentiments, warning that the independence and territorial integrity of Arab nations are under significant threat from such proposals. As tensions rise, the international community continues to watch closely, with many calling for a resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.