Egypt, Jordan should take more people from Gaza, says Trump

WASHINGTON,— U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday called on Jordan and Egypt to take in people displaced from Gaza, where Israel’s ongoing military campaign has caused a severe humanitarian crisis, reportedly leaving tens of thousands dead.

When asked if his proposal was for a temporary or permanent solution, Trump said, “Could be either.”

The suggestion comes as Washington maintains its stance against the forced displacement of Gazans, a position it announced last year.

However, rights groups and humanitarian agencies have consistently raised alarm over the dire conditions in Gaza. The war has displaced nearly the entire population, creating a hunger crisis and pushing the region to the brink of collapse.

Despite global criticism of its unwavering support for Israel, the U.S. has defended its ally, stating that its assistance is aimed at helping Israel combat Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.

Discussing a recent phone call with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Trump remarked, “I urged him to consider taking in more people, given the dire situation in Gaza, which is in total disarray. It’s a real mess. I’d like them to take people.” He added that he planned to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the following day.

“You’re talking about a million and a half people,” Trump said. “We just clean out that whole thing.”

Before the start of the current conflict, Gaza’s population stood at approximately 2.3 million.

Describing the situation in Gaza, Trump called the region “a demolition site.” “Almost everything is destroyed, and people are dying there,” he said. “I believe it would be better to work with Arab nations to establish new housing in another location, giving people the chance to finally live in peace.”

Trump has previously shared unconventional ideas about Gaza’s future. Shortly after his inauguration, he remarked that Gaza “really needs to be rebuilt in a completely different way.”

Illustrative image of Gaza after Hamas, Israel, 2025. Photo: iKurd.net/ai

Describing the region, Trump said, “Gaza is fascinating. It’s in a phenomenal location, right on the sea. The weather is incredible—really, everything about it is great. You could create something truly beautiful there, but it’s a very unique situation.”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a strong proponent of resettling Jewish settlers in Gaza, praised former President Trump’s proposal as “an excellent idea.” He stated that he would work on creating a plan to put it into action. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed such proposals, which have been championed by Smotrich.

The latest escalation in the decades-long Israeli-Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas Islamist militants launched a large-scale assault on Israel, modeled after Islamic State-style tactics. The attack resulted in the killing of around 1,200 people—mostly civilians, including women and children—along with reports of sexual assault, rape, and the taking of approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.

Israel’s military response has killed thousands in Gaza, with the majority reported to be Hamas fighters.

A ceasefire implemented a week ago has facilitated the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Arab prisoners, many of whom were convicted criminals serving long-term sentences in Israeli prisons.

(With files from Reuters | AP)