A coalition of key Arab nations has issued a strong rejection of any attempts to resettle or displace Palestinians from Gaza. This statement came in response to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested relocating over a million Palestinians to neighboring countries as a solution to the ongoing crisis in the enclave.
The foreign ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt released a unified declaration on Saturday, following a meeting in Cairo. While expressing interest in collaborating with President Trump on a two-state solution, the ministers emphasized their commitment to maintaining the Palestinian population within their homeland and rebuilding Gaza.
“We firmly reject any actions that threaten these rights, including settlement expansion, forced evictions, home demolitions, land annexation, or the displacement of Palestinians through direct expulsion or coerced migration,” the statement declared.
Trump's controversial proposal came during remarks aboard Air Force One, where he described Gaza as a "mess" and a "demolition site." He revealed discussions with the king of Jordan about potentially building housing for Palestinians elsewhere in the Middle East. "I don’t know, something has to happen, but it’s literally a demolition site right now," Trump stated.
Arab leaders, however, stood united in opposing any forced relocation of Palestinians. They emphasized the necessity of Gaza's reconstruction and called for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. The ministers also reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), just days after Israel imposed a ban on the agency's operations.
The statement highlighted the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which has brought temporary respite after a 15-month conflict. The group acknowledged the role played by the U.S. in brokering the truce but underscored their unwavering stance against any partitioning or forced demographic changes in Gaza.
As Gaza faces monumental rebuilding efforts, the international community continues to grapple with questions about the region’s future and the fate of its people. Arab nations reiterated their firm stance: Palestinians belong in their homeland.
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