The Trump administration is considering resettling Gazans in Syria, alongside discussions for relocation to Somalia and Sudan. The U.S. has tentatively supported Egypt’s plan for Gaza while pressuring Israel to form a governance committee contingent on Hamas’ removal. The proposal has drawn significant criticism, with concerns about ethnic cleansing and humanitarian implications.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in Syria, in addition to previous discussions regarding relocation to Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan. As stated by CBS News, the efforts include an outreach approach to Syria’s government through intermediaries, although it has yet to receive confirmation from Damascus. Furthermore, a Syrian official denied any record of such a request being made by Washington.
In conjunction with this, Sky News Arabia has reported that Egypt’s proposal for post-war governance in Gaza has received preliminary approval from the U.S. This plan has garnered support from several Arab and European nations. The U.S. is exerting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a “technocratic committee” that would oversee Gaza’s governance, contingent upon the removal and disarmament of Hamas, with consultations involving Egypt regarding these actions.
CBS indicated that relocating Palestinians is one of multiple strategies under consideration by the Trump team to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas and to aid in Gaza’s reconstruction. President Trump, during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, emphasized, “no one is deporting Palestinians,” addressing concerns raised by his earlier remarks about U.S. control over Gaza and his vision of transforming it into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Diplomatic sources note that U.S. and Israeli officials have approached Somalia and Sudan regarding the potential resettlement of Palestinians, though Somalia’s ambassador stated that there has been no formal proposal offered. He cautioned that spreading unverified claims could exacerbate recruitment for extremist groups, compromising regional stability. Meanwhile, the Sudanese government has yet to respond to the reports.
Syria’s current government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, is relatively new, having taken power from Bashar Assad’s regime only three months prior. Sudan is facing a compounded crisis of civil war and humanitarian needs. Despite Trump’s assertions that Palestinians might choose to leave Gaza, the insinuation also hints at permanence. In a recent interview, he remarked, “We’ll build beautiful communities, safe communities,” asserting that return to Gaza would be disallowed as the region would remain “uninhabitable” for years to come.
Reactions to Trump’s plan have been largely negative, with numerous Arab nations, the UN, and several Democratic lawmakers condemning it as potentially constituting “ethnic cleansing.” Recently, Arab leaders endorsed Egypt’s proposal for Gaza’s rehabilitation post-war, yet both the U.S. and Israel rejected it, asserting Gaza is unsuitable for habitation.
In summary, the Trump administration is exploring various avenues for the resettlement of Gazans, including potential relocation to Syria. The outlined strategy involves Egyptian proposals for governance in Gaza, conditional on the removal of Hamas. Responses to these plans have been mixed, with widespread international condemnation and the assertion that Gaza’s current conditions render it uninhabitable. The evolution of this situation will likely continue to prompt significant geopolitical discussions.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
