Trump Rejects Palestinian Right of Return in Gaza Plan

In an interview set to air on Monday with FOX News' Bret Baier, Trump responded, “No, they wouldn’t,” when asked if Palestinians in Gaza would be allowed to return under his plan. This follows his recent suggestion that the U.S. take control of Gaza and develop it into a prosperous region, comparing it to “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

As part of the plan, Trump has increased pressure on neighboring Arab states, particularly Jordan and Egypt, to accept Palestinians from Gaza, a region they consider a part of their future homeland. “We’ll build safe communities, a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is,” Trump explained. “In the meantime, I would own this. Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent.”

The proposal has sparked sharp criticism from Arab nations, particularly as Trump prepares to meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House. Both Egypt and Jordan have expressed concerns about the potential security risks of temporarily resettling large numbers of Palestinians in their countries.

Trump’s statements also come at a sensitive time, as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains fragile after 15 months of war. Current negotiations focus on humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts for Gaza’s civilian population.

In response to Trump’s initial comments last week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that Trump’s plan was focused on temporarily relocating Palestinians for an interim period, allowing for debris removal and reconstruction efforts.

Trump has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops to secure the territory but reiterated that no U.S. funds would go toward Gaza's reconstruction, raising critical questions about the viability of his plan.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the “Arab consensus” rejecting the transfer of Palestinians, urging that a political solution should lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the right of self-determination.

Meanwhile, Hamas condemned Trump’s proposal. Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, dismissed the plan as “absurd,” accusing Trump of lacking understanding of Palestine and the region. He further warned that Palestinians would resist any attempts at relocation. “Dealing with the Palestinian cause with the mentality of a real estate dealer is a recipe for failure,” al-Rishq said. “Our Palestinian people will thwart all transfer and deportation plans.”