Arab nations have strongly opposed U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza and establish U.S. control over the region, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
During a meeting in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Abdelatty emphasized the urgency of rebuilding Gaza while ensuring that Palestinians remain in their homeland.
A U.S. State Department statement released after the meeting did not directly address Trump’s plan. However, it highlighted the importance of close U.S.-Arab cooperation regarding Gaza’s governance and security, stating that “Hamas should never again govern Gaza or threaten Israel.”
Egypt’s foreign ministry reported that Abdelatty expressed a desire to collaborate with the new U.S. administration to achieve “comprehensive and just peace and stability” in the region. He reiterated similar concerns in a separate meeting with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Palestinian leadership, supported by neighboring Arab nations, has firmly rejected any proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, viewing the enclave as a fundamental part of an independent Palestinian state.
Concerns over forced displacement have intensified since the Israel-Gaza conflict escalated in October 2023.
Trump’s initial suggestion on January 25 that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinian refugees drew widespread condemnation.
His subsequent proposals, including a potential U.S. takeover of Gaza, have been widely criticized. Human rights advocates and the United Nations have condemned such plans as ethnic cleansing.
The ongoing Israeli military offensive has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths over the past 16 months, causing mass displacement, widespread suffering, and a growing hunger crisis in Gaza.
