Donald Trump has said he would like to see Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations take in more Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip, suggesting “we just clean out that whole thing”.
The US president’s latest remarks have led to accusations that he supports “ethnically cleansing” the coastal enclave.
During a 20-minute question-and-answer session with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump also said he has ended his predecessor’s hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.
The move lifts a pressure point meant to reduce civilian casualties during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, which is now halted by a tenuous ceasefire.
“We released them today,” Trump said of the bombs. “They’ve been waiting for them for a long time.” Asked why he lifted the ban on those bombs, Trump responded, “Because they bought them.”
On his larger vision for Gaza, Trump, said he had a call earlier in the day with King Abdullah II of Jordan and would speak on Sunday with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt with the aim of persuading both nations to take in more Palestinians.
“I’d like Egypt to take people,” Trump said. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.’”
Trump said he complimented Jordan for having successfully accepted Palestinian refugees and that he told the king, “I’d love for you to take on more, cause I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess. It’s a real mess.”
Egypt, Jordan and other nations have previously expressed reluctance to take in too many Palestinians, fearing that Israel might never allow the refugees to return.
Such a drastic displacement of people proposed by Trump would openly contradict Palestinian identity and deep connection to Gaza.
The suggestion prompted political analyst Omar Baddar to write: “President Trump is now openly & explicitly calling for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.
“Make no mistake: Trump wants to help Israel complete the erasure of Palestine, and the liquidation of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice.”
In a post on X, broadcaster and journalist Mehdi Hasan said: “A week ago I was being told to apologise for saying Trump would be worse for Gaza because he faked a temporary pause/pretend ceasefire to coincide with his inauguration.
“Now he’s just openly endorsing/encouraging ethnic cleansing.”
Trump said the part of the world that encompasses Gaza, has “had many, many conflicts” over centuries. He said resettling “could be temporary or long term”.
“Something has to happen,” the president said. “But it’s literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything’s demolished, and people are dying there.”
He added: “So, I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations, and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change.”
There was no immediate comment from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. ITV News has contacted the US Department of State.
Trump has offered non-traditional views on the future of Gaza in the past. He suggested after he was inaugurated on Monday that Gaza has “really got to be rebuilt in a different way”.
“Gaza is interesting. It’s a phenomenal location, on the sea. The best weather, you know, everything is good. It’s like, some beautiful things could be done with it, but it’s very interesting,” he added.
Trump’s remarks follow the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel that has paused fighting and has seen the release of some hostages held in Gaza in return for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
Negotiations have yet to begin in earnest on the more difficult second phase of the deal that would eventually see the release of all hostages held by Hamas and an enduring halt to the fighting.
If the remaining hostages are not released, the Israeli government has threatened to resume its war against Hamas, launched in response to the Islamist militant groups attacks on Israel on October 7 2023.
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