Netanyahu Backs Trump’s Plan to Displace Gazans

Zim Now Writer

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza, dismissing international criticism of the idea.

Netanyahu did not explicitly discuss Trump’s suggestion of a U.S. takeover of Gaza but endorsed the idea of voluntary relocation. He questioned the backlash, stating, "I mean, what's wrong with that? They can leave, they can then come back, they can relocate and come back. But you have to rebuild Gaza."

Netanyahu also dismissed the notion that Trump proposed sending U.S. troops to Gaza or financing its reconstruction.

Trump, who has repeatedly suggested since Jan. 25 that Arab nations like Egypt and Jordan should take in displaced Palestinians, faced swift rejection from both Arab leaders and Palestinian authorities.

Rights groups have strongly condemned his plan, labeling it as ethnic cleansing. Following widespread criticism, Trump’s aides attempted to downplay certain aspects of the proposal.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, with Israel's military offensive, now under a fragile ceasefire, having left over 47,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Gaza health ministry. The conflict has also displaced nearly the entire population, triggering a severe hunger crisis.

The latest violence erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.

Despite mounting international accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel strongly denies, Netanyahu described Trump's proposal as “the first good idea I’ve heard” and urged further exploration of the plan.