On January 26, 2025, with the Gaza ceasefire agreement less than two weeks underway, the Middle East woke up to a shocking proposal from newly reelected President Trump. Talking to reporters on Air Force One, he suggested relocating Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries—either temporarily or long term—to “clean out” Gaza. The proposal was met with enthusiasm by far-right Israeli politicians including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have been openly calling for the annexation of Gaza. 

Trump’s plan evokes chilling echoes of historic forced population transfers—practices that are deeply rooted in imperialist and colonialist mentalities. Enforced population transfer is a violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits individual or mass forcible displacement, regardless of motive. It is also alarmingly reminiscent of Nazi Germany’s Madagascar Plan, which suggested to forcibly relocate the Jewish population of Europe to the island of Madagascar; a French colony at the time.  

Beyond the illegality and immorality of this proposal, it is alarming in its simplicity, as if Palestinians are mere “objects” to be relocated to some other place. This proposal also raises troubling questions: Why should the rebuilding of Gaza happen without its residents? For whom will Gaza be rebuilt if not for its people? Why does President Trump think Palestinians must be displaced to “clean out” the area, instead of addressing the root cause of the problem behind the destruction of their homes and livelihoods? Branding this as a humanitarian effort is disingenuous—especially because it disregards Palestinians’ wishes and autonomy.  

This proposal ignores the fact that the root of Gaza’s devastation lies not in the presence of its indigenous population but in the ongoing siege and genocide perpetuated by the government of Israel—a government that the U.S. continues to arm unabated. This also comes at the wake of President Trump’s decision to allow the release of 2,000 pound bombs to Israel, previously blocked by the Biden administration. 

The media’s reference to all Palestinians in Gaza as refugees in need of resettlement to third countries is also misleading. Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip are indigenous to the land. Those who hold legal refugee status are 1948 Nakba survivors who were forcibly displaced from their towns, villages, and cities, or their descendants. These refugees in Gaza should be allowed to execute their right to return to their original homes—not moved again to realize Israel’s occupation agenda. Framing this proposal as a beneficial solution is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to accelerate the ethnic cleansing of Palestine under the guise of a humanitarian rebuilding plan.  

Palestinians in Gaza need “peace for a change”, to quote the words of the U.S. President, but they also need justice and a resolution to their plight that does not further rob them of their land, homes, or agency.  

This proposal also fails to consider the broader implications of resettlement for the Arab world, which already hosts a significant refugee population, including 5.9 million Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA, 1.8 million Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR, and others. Relocating Palestinians would not solve the existing problem facing the Arab world; it would simply exacerbate regional tensions while normalizing the expectation that Arab countries are responsible for the consequences of the Israeli occupation, absolving Israel of all accountability. 

The treatment of Europeans in the aftermath of World War II offers a stark contrast: no one suggested relocating these beleaguered civilians in order to rebuild their bombed-out cities. Why should Palestinians be treated any differently? The people of Gaza have the right to rebuild their homes and determine their own future.  

President Trump’s misguided and dangerous policy proposal should not be endorsed by the world. Gaza’s future belongs to its people—not to those who seek to erase them. The path to sustainable peace in Gaza and beyond is clear: rebuild Gaza at the hands of its residents, not without them; end Gaza’s suffocating 17-year long blockade; uphold international and humans rights law, including Palestinian self-determination and historic right of return. Sustainable regional peace and security cannot—and will not—be achieved through more injustice. Forced displacement is not a solution—it is the perpetuation of oppression.