The Trump administration explores relocating Gaza residents to Syria, amid wider discussions on post-war governance. Despite attempts to communicate with the Syrian regime, officials deny contact. Plans also include forming a Palestinian governance body, contingent on disarming Hamas. However, logistical and diplomatic obstacles complicate relocation efforts.
The Trump administration is contemplating a plan to relocate Palestinian residents from Gaza to Syria, as reported by CBS News on March 18. Sources indicate that U.S. officials have sought to reach out to the newly established Turkish-backed Syrian government under Ahmed al-Sharaa, utilizing intermediaries believed to be from the bordering Druze community. However, officials in Damascus have reportedly denied any such communications from Washington, particularly in the wake of an Israeli airstrike that resulted in over 420 fatalities in Gaza.
In earlier discussions, the U.S. had considered relocation options to Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan. The inclusion of Syria arises in the context of Israel’s occupation of territories beyond the Golan Heights. Additionally, Sky News Arabia has indicated that the Trump administration has tentatively approved an Egyptian proposal for a post-war settlement in Gaza, placing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a Palestinian “technocratic committee” to oversee governance with international and Arab support.
The U.S. has made its endorsement of this plan contingent upon the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from Gaza’s political framework, in consultation with Egypt. Previously, President Trump underscored the importance of halting violence in Gaza and proposed a U.S.-led initiative to manage the region’s reconstruction, envisioning it as a future “Middle East Riviera,” while also asserting that deportation of Palestinians would not occur.
Challenges remain for the proposed relocation of Palestinians. Dahir Hassan, Somalia’s ambassador to the U.S., remarked that no formal requests regarding the acceptance of Palestinians have been received from the U.S. or Israel. Furthermore, he cautioned against the dissemination of unverified information, as it could potentially bolster recruitment efforts by extremist groups such as ISIS and Al-Shabaab, jeopardizing regional stability. Meanwhile, the Sudanese government has yet to issue a statement on these developments.
The current Syrian administration, under Ahmed al-Sharaa, has only been in power for a brief three months following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, while Sudan is grappling with the dual crises of civil war and severe humanitarian challenges.
In summary, the U.S. Trump administration is examining the potential relocation of Gaza residents to Syria, amidst ongoing discussions about post-war governance in Gaza, including the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee. Despite efforts to explore different relocation sites and intentions for reconstruction, significant obstacles remain, including diplomatic denials and regional concerns over extremism. The situation remains fluid and poses complex challenges for all parties involved.
Original Source: www.intellinews.com
