P
resident Donald Trump's latest proposal to "clean out" Gaza by forcibly expelling its residents to Egypt, Jordan, and other countries has sparked outrage and concern. The plan, which was floated on Air Force One just days before tens of thousands of Gazans returned to the devastated northern part of the strip, threatens to upend the fragile truce brokered earlier this month.
Trump's comments are a continuation of his previous statements on Gaza, where he described it as a "massive demolition site" but also praised its "phenomenal location on the sea" and "best weather." His son-in-law and former Middle East policy advisor, Jared Kushner, has been pushing for luxury real estate development in Gaza, with plans to build seaside resorts similar to those in other Mediterranean locales.
The proposal is part of a larger plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza, which has been discussed within the Israeli government. A leaked Israeli Intelligence Ministry memo from October 2023 details a four-stage plan to achieve this end, including the forced expulsion of Palestinians and their resettlement in neighboring countries.
Trump's suggestion that something "really beautiful could be done with Gaza" echoes comments made by Kushner last year, who said Israel could "clean up" Gaza and make the most of its "waterfront property." The Trump administration's push for a "Greater Israel" project, which involves annexing Palestinian territories, has been met with opposition from Palestinians, peace advocates, and Middle East experts.
The State of Palestine issued an official statement rejecting Trump's plan, saying that the Palestinian people will never abandon their land and will not allow the repetition of the Nakba of 1948. The Council on American-Islamic Relations called the U.S. president's plan "delusional and dangerous nonsense" and said the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace is to "force the Israeli government to end its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people."
Despite the opposition, Israel appears to be working overtime to undermine the current ceasefire and set the stage for a resumption of hostilities that might make the "clean out" plot feasible. The Netanyahu government has been violating the terms of agreements in Gaza and Lebanon, provoking condemnation.
The Trump administration's support for Israel's actions in Gaza has raised concerns about its commitment to peace and human rights. As with all news analysis and op-ed articles published by People's World, this article reflects the views of its author.
