Egypt and Jordan Reject Trump’s Call to Take in Gaza Refugees

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Egypt and Jordan Reject Trump’s Call to Take in Gaza Refugees/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Egypt and Jordan take in Gaza’s displaced Palestinians has been firmly rejected by both countries, citing fears of regional instability and long-term displacement. The idea has also perplexed even Trump allies in Washington, with Sen. Lindsey Graham calling the proposal impractical. Trump continues to advocate for resettling Gaza’s population, framing it as a solution to the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict.

FILE – Senate Judiciary Oversight Committee Ranking Member Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a hearing to examine Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and related surveillance authorities, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. A special grand jury that aided a Georgia election subversion probe that ultimately ended up indicting Donald Trump and 18 others had recommended charging many more people, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, two former senators from Georgia and Michael Flynn, according to a report released Friday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Trump’s Gaza Refugee Plan Rejected: Quick Looks

Arab Allies Reject: Egypt and Jordan firmly oppose Trump’s suggestion, citing security and sovereignty concerns.
Regional Fears: Arab nations worry the relocation would erase hopes for a Palestinian state and destabilize the region.
Senate Pushback: Trump ally Lindsey Graham called the proposal impractical and urged more dialogue with Middle East leaders.
Trump’s Leverage: Jordan’s reliance on U.S. aid gives Trump potential leverage, though at a diplomatic cost.
Background: Gaza’s conflict has displaced millions, with 90% of the population left homeless.

Side Headlines:

“Egypt and Jordan Stand Firm Against Trump’s Gaza Refugee Plan”
“Trump’s Push to Relocate Gaza Residents Sparks Bipartisan Confusion”
“Why Arab Allies Reject Trump’s Palestinian Resettlement Proposal”
“Trump Releases Bomb Stockpile for Israel Amid Mideast Tensions”

Egypt and Jordan Reject Trump’s Call to Take in Gaza Refugees

Deep Look

DORAL, Fla. — President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s displaced population to Egypt and Jordan has drawn sharp rejection from both countries, which view the idea as destabilizing and impractical. Trump suggested the relocation, either temporary or permanent, as a solution for the millions left homeless by Israel’s 15-month military campaign against Hamas.

“I’d love for [Egypt and Jordan] to take on more because I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess,” Trump said, adding, “I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location where they can maybe live in peace for a change.”

Firm Rejections from Egypt and Jordan

Arab leaders have pushed back strongly against Trump’s suggestion.

Jordan: Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi described the country’s opposition as “firm and unwavering.” Jordan already hosts more than 2 million Palestinian refugees and fears that further displacement would destabilize the region and erase hopes for a two-state solution.
Egypt: The Egyptian foreign ministry warned that relocating Palestinians to the Sinai Peninsula would expand the conflict and potentially bring Hamas and other militant groups into Egyptian territory, jeopardizing national security.

Both nations fear that the resettlement would allow Israel to make the displacement permanent, undermining the goal of a Palestinian state.

Trump’s Leverage Over Jordan

Jordan remains heavily reliant on U.S. aid, receiving over $1.6 billion in 2023, much of which funds its security forces and provides direct budgetary support. While Trump has leverage, his actions, such as freezing foreign assistance, have already strained relations with regional partners.

Confusion Among U.S. Lawmakers

Trump’s remarks have also left some of his allies puzzled.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a staunch Trump supporter, said on CNN: “The idea that all the Palestinians are going to leave and go somewhere else, I don’t see that to be overly practical.”
Graham urged Trump to engage in discussions with other Arab leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to explore alternative solutions.

Humanitarian and Political Context

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has displaced more than 1.5 million people, leaving 90% of the population homeless. While Trump sees relocation as a way to address the crisis, critics argue that the plan risks creating a new wave of permanent displacement akin to the 1948 Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes.

Trump Releases Bomb Stockpile for Israel

Adding to the controversy, Trump announced Saturday that the U.S. would release a stockpile of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. Former President Joe Biden had previously withheld the munitions over concerns about their impact on Gaza’s civilian population.

What’s Next?

Trump’s push for Gaza resettlement faces significant diplomatic and logistical hurdles. While his administration has potential leverage over Egypt and Jordan, forcing compliance risks alienating key regional allies and complicating broader Middle East peace efforts.

For now, the proposal underscores the challenges of addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis without exacerbating tensions in the region.