U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that “nobody is expelling any Palestinians” during a press conference, following backlash over his Gaza takeover plan. Despite his claim that Gaza must be transformed, Arab countries and Europe rejected his proposal, important recovery efforts focusing on housing for the displaced are underway.
On March 13, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed concerns regarding his controversial Gaza plan, asserting, “nobody is expelling any Palestinians.” This statement was made during a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin when a reporter from Voice of America inquired about his proposal to remove Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump’s initial Gaza plan faced significant backlash following his earlier declaration alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he proposed a U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip and the relocation of its two million residents to neighboring countries, specifically Egypt and Jordan.
When questioned by Fox News’ Bret Baier about the potential for Palestinians to return to Gaza under his plan, Trump replied, “No, they wouldn’t, because they’re going to have much better housing.” He defended his approach by describing Gaza as “a demolition site” and emphasized that keeping people there would be “inhumane.” However, he later clarified that he would not enforce his plan regarding Gaza.
The Arab world and European nations promptly rejected Trump’s vision for Gaza, asserting that the territory is critical to a future Palestinian state within a proposed two-state solution. Concurrently, Arab leaders endorsed an Egyptian recovery plan that allocates $53 billion for immediate reconstruction efforts in Gaza, a plan backed by European leaders.
This initiative seeks to establish temporary housing for hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans within six months, while working towards constructing permanent housing over a five-year period. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 48,000 fatalities and displaced approximately 1.9 million individuals, according to U.N. reports. Additionally, the conflict has led to devastation, affecting over 60% of homes and 65% of roads within the region.
President Trump’s remarks indicate a denial of plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza, amidst widespread criticism for his previous proposals. International leaders continue to oppose his approach, emphasizing the need for housing solutions within Gaza rather than displacement. As reconstruction plans emerge, the humanitarian crisis deepens, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies to address the needs of the Gazan population.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
