Trump says Jordan and Egypt should receive more Palestinians from Gaza by Reuters

Written by Nandita Bose and Kanishka Singh

Aboard Air Force One (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Jordan and Egypt should take in more Palestinians from Gaza, where an Israeli military offensive has created a dire humanitarian situation and killed tens of thousands.

When asked if this was a temporary or long-term proposal, Trump said: “It could be either.”

Washington said last year that it opposes the forced displacement of Palestinians. Human rights groups and humanitarian agencies have for months raised concerns about the situation in Gaza, where the war has displaced almost the entire population and led to a hunger crisis.

Washington also faced criticism for its support of Israel, but maintained its support for its ally, saying it was helping Israel defend against Iranian-backed armed groups such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.

“I told him I would love for him to take on more because I look at the whole Gaza Strip right now and I see it’s a mess, it’s a real mess. I’d like him to take on the people,” said Trump, who took over. He said this in his office on January 20, about his call on Saturday with Jordanian King Abdullah.

“I would like Egypt to receive people,” Trump told reporters, adding that he would speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday.

“You’re talking about a million and a half people, and we’re cleaning this whole thing up,” Trump said.

The population of the Palestinian Strip before the start of the war between Israel and Gaza was about 2.3 million people.

Gaza “demolition site”

Trump said: “It is a demolition site in the literal sense of the word. Almost everything is being demolished and people are dying there, so I would rather partner with some Arab countries and build housing in a different location where they can live in peace for a change.” He said.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage, according to Israeli statistics.

The subsequent Israeli military attack on Gaza killed more than 47,000 people, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.

The ceasefire entered into force a week ago and led to the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.