The Trump administration’s controversial plan to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza has sparked strong opposition from various international parties, especially Egypt. As Israel begins preparing for the potential relocation, Egypt has initiated a behind-the-scenes diplomatic effort to stop the plan, warning that it could jeopardize the peace deal with Israel and destabilize the region.
Egypt’s Diplomatic Push to Reject the Plan
Egyptian officials have been actively lobbying against President Donald Trump’s proposal to empty Gaza of Palestinians, a move that could disrupt the long-standing peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. According to anonymous Egyptian sources, the government has made its stance clear to the U.S. and Israel. One official mentioned that Egypt conveyed its position to the Pentagon, the State Department, and U.S. Congress, emphasizing the risks this proposal poses to Egypt’s national security. A Western diplomat in Cairo, also speaking anonymously, confirmed Egypt’s serious concerns about the plan, noting the potential damage to regional stability.
Trump’s Plan and the International Backlash
Originally, Trump had suggested that the U.S. would take control of Gaza after the war, and that the relocation of Palestinians would be permanent. However, U.S. officials later scaled back the proposal, stating that the relocation would be temporary. The Trump administration’s plan has been widely rejected by international actors, with many viewing it as an attempt to cleanse Gaza of its Palestinian population, an accusation supported by Human Rights Watch, which labeled the proposal as “ethnic cleansing.”
Israel’s Preparation for Palestinian Relocation
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the Israeli military is preparing for the potential relocation of Palestinians, including arrangements for emigration via land crossings, sea, and air. However, these preparations have not yet been visible on the ground, leaving many questions unanswered about how the plan would be executed.
Rejection from Palestinian and Regional Powers
The Palestinian people, along with the militant group Hamas, have vehemently rejected Trump’s plan, fearing they would never be allowed to return to Gaza. Meanwhile, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, key U.S. allies, have also expressed their strong opposition to the relocation. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has tied its stance to the creation of a Palestinian state, refusing to normalize relations with Israel until such a state is established, including Gaza.
A Tense Diplomatic Standoff
While the Trump administration has dialed back some aspects of its proposal, the plan to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza remains a highly contentious issue. With Egypt’s diplomatic efforts and the wider international push against the plan, it is clear that the fate of Gaza’s population is still very much uncertain.