Trump's 'Clearing Out' Gaza Call Assures Ceasefire Won't Last

1/28/2025 12:03:33 AM

(MENAFN- Asia Times) Donald Trump's recent statement describing Gaza as a“demolition site” – and his suggestion to“evacuate” Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt and Jordan to“clean out that whole thing” – has sent shockwaves across the region.

Trump reportedly told journalists traveling with him on Air Force One at the weekend that he had spoken with King Abdullah of Jordan and planned to talk with Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.“You're talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing,” he said.

He added that relocating Palestinian civilians to“some of the Arab nations, and build[ing] housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change” could be“done temporarily or could be long term.”

Israel's extreme ultra-nationalist parties , both in and outside of the Israeli government, are thrilled by the idea. It's one they have long advocated.

But it has been widely criticized across the region as a potential“second Nakba” – referring to the violence and displacement of Palestinians after Israel's unilateral declaration of statehood in 1948. The proposal has also been outright rejected by Egypt and Jordan . It has also been strongly condemned by the Palestinians.

It remains unclear to what extent this aligns with US policy and diplomacy, but such rhetoric risks undermining the pivotal regional diplomatic efforts. These efforts, led by Qatar and Egypt in close coordination with Washington, are focused on continuing the negotiations on the ceasefire, monitoring progress, and verifying compliance.

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