Trump says no right of return for Palestinians under his Gaza proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that his proposed plan for the large-scale population transfer from Gaza does not include the right of return for Palestinians. This statement clarifies his stance on the future planning for the Gaza Strip.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated his desire to "own" Gaza. When asked if Palestinians would be allowed to return to their land under his plan, Trump stated explicitly, "No, they won't." This remark has sparked widespread attention and controversy.

President Trump's plan to empty Gaza of its population has been met with strong opposition in the Middle East, including from Egypt and Jordan. Trump had expressed hope that these two countries would accept displaced Palestinians. Human rights organizations have also condemned the move, considering it tantamount to ethnic cleansing. The international community generally holds a negative view of the plan.

Trump's claim that he is seeking the permanent displacement of the people of Gaza contradicts recent comments from his aides. His aides had indicated that Gazan residents would be able to return after reconstruction. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated last week that Gazans would be "temporarily relocated." Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza would be "temporary," and residents would be able to "move back" after reconstruction. These differing voices highlight the divisions within the U.S. government on this issue.

In the Fox News interview, Trump suggested that the U.S. would use its aid to Jordan and Egypt to get these two countries to accept displaced Palestinians. "I think I can make a deal with Jordan. I think I can make a deal with Egypt. You know, we give them billions of dollars a year," the U.S. president said. He also added that Palestinians would live in "beautiful communities away from Gaza." "In the meantime, I'm going to own that. I'm going to think of it as a future real estate development," he said. Trump's remarks have fueled further speculation in the international community regarding the strategic intentions of the U.S. in the Middle East.

The U.S. plan to take over Gaza has attracted worldwide attention. Washington has no legal right to the territory, and the UN Charter prohibits the acquisition of land by force. The Gaza Health Ministry says that Israel's war on the territory, with U.S. support, has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians. The Gaza Government Media Office says the death toll is over 61,700, including thousands of missing people presumed dead. Israel's offensive has turned much of Gaza into ruins. But residents of the area have pledged to remain steadfast on their land. Local authorities have been pleading for tents and mobile homes to house people until reconstruction can begin, and accuse Israel of violating ceasefire agreements and obstructing aid. The international community is calling on all parties to adhere to international law and ensure the basic human rights of the people of Gaza.

Last week, Amnesty International warned that efforts to systematically displace Palestinians from Gaza could constitute a crime against humanity. "Amnesty International also warns against misusing desperately needed humanitarian assistance and reconstruction as bargaining chips or as a means of coercing Palestinians in Gaza to leave," said Agnès Callamard, the organization’s Secretary General, in a statement. "No country has the right to treat a protected population living under occupation as pawns on a geopolitical chessboard." In 1994, UN experts defined ethnic cleansing as “a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from certain geographic areas.” These warnings underscore the gravity of the situation in Gaza and the international community's concern over a potential humanitarian crisis.