Trump's bold plan: Relocating Gaza residents sparks debate
The USA and Israel are interested in relocating the residents of the Gaza Strip to Syria, American television network CBS reported on Monday. One of the station’s sources indicated that the White House has already reached out to the new government of Syria on this issue through intermediaries.
However, a high-ranking official in Damascus stated that he is not aware of talks regarding the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to Syria.
Trump's plan regarding the Gaza Strip
CBS also confirmed findings from the Associated Press that the US and Israeli authorities have been in contact with the governments of Sudan and Somalia concerning the relocation of Gaza residents.
Sudanese officials have stated that they rejected the US proposals, while Somali government representatives told journalists that they are not aware of such talks.
According to AP, the US also explored the possibility of relocating Gaza residents to Somaliland, a self-declared state that is a separatist region in Somalia.
US President Donald Trump announced in February that the Gaza Strip should come under American control, and the Palestinians living there should be relocated to Arab countries. The American leader presents this idea as a way to break the cycle of violence in the region and transform the devastated Gaza Strip into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
Ruined Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip has been devastated by a war lasting over 15 months between Israel and the ruling terrorist organization, Hamas. Over 48,000 Palestinians have died in the fighting. The Israeli campaign began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people.
In numerous statements about Gaza, Trump has presented his proposal in various versions. The American president, for instance, has repeatedly said that Palestinians from Gaza should be accepted by Egypt and Jordan.
Both countries have strongly protested Trump's vision, as have other Arab states, including Syria. Arab countries have also adopted a plan prepared by Egypt for rebuilding the Gaza Strip. This plan envisions restoring the territory without displacing the population and ultimately establishing an independent Palestinian state there and on the West Bank of the Jordan River. The proposal is presented as an alternative to Trump's plan.
The American president’s vision was warmly received by Israeli politicians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had consistently maintained that the government had no intention of relocating Palestinians, stated in February that he viewed Trump’s plan as the most viable option for the region.
