The Trump administration is considering relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Syria, while negotiations with Egypt for a post-war governance plan are ongoing. This comes amidst Israeli airstrikes and challenges in approaching potential host nations for the relocation, underlining complex geopolitical factors.
The Trump administration is evaluating the potential relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to Syria, as reported by CBS News on March 18. U.S. officials have reportedly engaged with the newly established Turkish-backed Syrian regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa through intermediaries from the border area Druze, although Damascus has denied receiving any requests from Washington regarding this matter. This news arrives shortly after a devastating Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of over 420 individuals in Gaza.
Discussions have previously included relocating Palestinians to Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan, with Syria emerging as a new option amid Israeli territorial occupation beyond the Golan Heights. Concurrently, Sky News Arabia has revealed that the Trump administration has tentatively approved an Egyptian initiative aimed at establishing a post-war settlement in Gaza, wherein U.S. officials are urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consent to the creation of a Palestinian “technocratic committee” to govern Gaza supported by Arab and international entities.
The U.S. has specified that its endorsement of this plan is contingent upon the disbandment and disarmament of Hamas. Moreover, consultations with Egypt to limit Hamas’s influence in Gaza are also ongoing. President Trump has emphasized the necessity to halt the violence and destruction in Gaza, proposing U.S. involvement in the management and reconstruction efforts, envisioning the area as a future “Middle East Riviera,” while firmly stating that deportation of Palestinians would not occur.
However, efforts to relocate Palestinians are encountering challenges. Somali Ambassador to the U.S., Dahir Hassan, noted the absence of official requests from the U.S. or Israel regarding the intake of Palestinians and cautioned against the dissemination of unverified information, which could inadvertently bolster extremist recruitment from groups such as ISIS and Al-Shabaab. Meanwhile, the Sudanese government has yet to respond to these claims.
Currently, the Syrian government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who is known as Mohammed al-Jolani, has only been in power for three months post-Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Conversely, Sudan is grappling with a civil war alongside dire refugee and famine challenges.
In conclusion, the U.S. Trump administration is contemplating the relocation of Gaza residents, exploring Syria as a potential destination while facing significant political and logistical challenges. Efforts to establish a Palestinian governing body with international support are coupled with stringent conditions regarding Hamas. However, the response from potential host nations remains cautious, highlighting concerns for regional security and stability.
Original Source: www.intellinews.com