Egypt and US Discuss Gaza Ceasefire, Reject Trump's Proposal for Palestinian Resettlement

February 02, 2025

12:02 PM

Reading time: 4 minutes


In a phone call on Saturday, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and US President Donald Trump agreed on the importance of solidifying the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. They emphasized the need for full implementation of the ceasefire's first and second phases, as well as the increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

However, the statement did not clarify whether the two leaders discussed Trump’s controversial proposal, made earlier in the week, that Palestinians from Gaza be relocated to Egypt and Jordan. Trump’s suggestion, which has been heavily criticized, was met with strong rejection by both Egypt and Jordan, as well as by Arab leaders who view it as a threat to regional stability.

Trump’s statement suggested that Egypt and Jordan should host over a million Palestinians displaced by the conflict in Gaza, a proposal that has sparked outrage across the Arab world. Critics have likened it to ethnic cleansing, asserting that it undermines Palestinian rights and disrupts efforts toward a peaceful two-state solution.

Egyptian President al-Sisi firmly rejected the idea on Wednesday, calling it an "act of injustice" and emphasizing that Egyptians would take to the streets to protest against it. Despite the strong opposition, Trump reiterated his call the following day, citing the substantial aid the US provides to both Egypt and Jordan as a reason for these countries to assist in resettling Palestinians.

Sisi also invited Trump to visit Egypt to discuss broader issues in the Middle East, including regional security and economic ties. The two presidents also agreed on the importance of continuing dialogue to achieve lasting peace in the region.

Arab League Rejects Relocation Plan

The foreign ministers of several Arab countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, met in Cairo on Saturday and issued a joint statement rejecting the idea of transferring Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan under any circumstances. The ministers emphasized that such a move would destabilize the region and undermine the prospects for a just and lasting peace.

The statement also reaffirmed support for the Palestinian cause, calling for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on international law and the United Nations' resolutions. The Arab League emphasized the need to protect Palestinians' rights to live in their homeland, rejecting any attempts to forcefully resettle them elsewhere.

Trump’s proposal has sparked widespread criticism from both international and regional actors. In Gaza, many see the suggestion as an affront to their aspirations for an independent Palestinian state. Moreover, Jordan, which is already home to millions of Palestinian refugees, has made it clear that it will not accept further waves of Palestinian resettlement.

In addition to the political fallout, there have been protests in Egypt against Trump’s proposal, particularly at the Rafah border crossing. Many Egyptians are vocal in their opposition, fearing the long-term consequences of such a move on their own country’s stability.

Despite the tensions over resettlement, the Arab foreign ministers expressed support for Egypt’s initiative to hold an international conference on rebuilding Gaza, which has been devastated by over a year of fighting. While no date has been set for the conference, it will focus on providing humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance to the Palestinian people.

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