Trump Denies Palestinians’ Right of Return Under Gaza Ownership Plan
President Trump declared that there will be no right of return for Palestinians in Gaza under his ownership plan, diverging from the notion of temporary relocation. He proposed building secure communities away from current threats, framing it as a real estate opportunity. This stance has provoked criticism from Arab nations, who are skeptical about the plan’s alignment with a two-state solution and regional security.
In a recent statement, President Donald Trump emphasized that Palestinians in Gaza would not have the right to return under his controversial plan to establish U.S. “ownership” of the region. This announcement diverges from prior assertions by administration officials who suggested that only a temporary relocation of the population was intended. Trump articulated that his proposal involves constructing safe communities away from existing dangers while describing the territory as a potential lucrative real estate venture.
During an interview with FOX News’ Bret Baier, Trump reiterated, “No, they wouldn’t” when asked about the possibility of Palestinian return to Gaza. His remarks emerge amidst increasing pressure on Arab nations, particularly Jordan and Egypt, to accept Palestinian refugees, who regard Gaza as integral to their future homeland. Meanwhile, two Arab nations have expressed strong disapproval of his plan, fearing it might undermine the established objectives of a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Egyptian and Jordanian governments have raised concerns regarding the security implications of temporarily relocating a significant number of refugees into their territories. Following Trump’s initial comments, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the intent is to provide temporary relocation in order to facilitate post-conflict cleanup and reconstruction efforts. Additionally, Trump has not dismissed the idea of deploying U.S. troops to maintain security in Gaza but has stated that U.S. funding will not support its reconstruction.
President Trump has taken a definitive stance on the lack of a right of return for Palestinians under his Gaza plan, which he frames as a matter of U.S. ownership and development. His position faces pushback from Arab nations concerned about the implications for existing peace efforts and regional stability. The gathering of international opinions points to a complex dynamic influencing the future governance of Gaza amidst ongoing humanitarian needs.
Original Source: apnews.com