The Longstanding Plan to Remove Palestinians from Gaza
A Historical and Contemporary Perspective
The notion of relocating Palestinians from Gaza is not a new concept, nor is it an innovation of any single political leader. It has deep historical roots and has been a recurring theme in Israeli strategic thought for decades. The recent resurfacing of this idea, particularly through proposals attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, has led to debates that often ignore the historical and political context in which these ideas originated.
Historical Context of Forced Displacement
Since before the establishment of Israel in 1948, Zionist leaders have entertained the idea of transferring Arab populations to create a Jewish majority in the region. Figures like David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, considered the removal of Palestinians as a strategic necessity for the survival and expansion of the Jewish state.
During the Nakba (or “catastrophe”) of 1948, approximately 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes in what became Israel. This mass expulsion set the precedent for future policies aimed at controlling and diminishing the Palestinian presence in the region. The concept of forced population transfer has, at times, been openly discussed within Israeli political and military circles, resurfacing in different forms across various conflicts.
Gaza, in particular, has been at the center of these discussions. Following Israel’s withdrawal from the territory in 2005, Israeli policymakers have debated the feasibility of removing its Palestinian population. The blockade imposed in 2007, after Hamas took control of Gaza, has been described as a mechanism of control that restricts movement and economic opportunities, fostering an environment where displacement could be seen as an inevitable consequence.
Recent Proposals to Relocate Gaza’s Population
The idea of expelling Palestinians from Gaza gained renewed attention after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. In the days following the attack, Israeli think tanks and intelligence agencies began proposing the mass displacement of Gaza’s population to Egypt. This suggestion was reportedly advanced by the Biden administration, which sought Egyptian cooperation to facilitate the forced transfer of civilians.
However, Egypt firmly rejected the proposal, recognizing the potential for regional instability and the precedent it could set for further displacements of Palestinians from the West Bank. Egypt, alongside other Arab nations such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia, made it clear that any attempt to push Palestinians into Sinai would be met with resistance.
Despite this, Israeli policymakers have continued to entertain the idea. Reports from Haaretz in February 2025 suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may attempt to sabotage any ceasefire efforts to prevent a diplomatic resolution and keep military operations in Gaza ongoing. This aligns with concerns that prolonging military aggression could serve as a means to reduce the Palestinian population in Gaza, either through forced migration or destruction of infrastructure necessary for civilian survival.
Trump’s Controversial Gaza “Solution”
In early February 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a controversial plan to redevelop Gaza into a luxury resort area, referring to it as the “Riviera of the Middle East”. According to Trump’s vision, the territory would be transformed into a modern tourist hub, with Palestinians removed and replaced by Israeli or Western investors.
This proposal immediately faced widespread condemnation from international observers, with many equating it to advocating for ethnic cleansing. Critics pointed out that such a plan was neither feasible nor legal under international law, which prohibits the forced transfer of occupied populations.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s supporters framed the plan as a "bold and innovative" solution to the crisis, overlooking its blatant disregard for Palestinian sovereignty. Trump’s involvement in these discussions has also obscured the fact that similar ideas had already been floated under the Biden administration, as well as within Israel’s own political and military leadership.
The Ethical and Legal Challenges of Displacement
Any forced removal of Gaza’s population would constitute a violation of international law. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, the forced transfer of civilians from occupied territories is strictly prohibited. The United Nations has repeatedly emphasized that Palestinian displacement—whether through direct expulsion or policies that make living conditions unbearable—could amount to war crimes.
In addition, historical examples demonstrate that forced population transfers do not resolve conflicts but rather create long-term instability. The Nakba of 1948, the displacement of Palestinians after the 1967 war, and the refugee crises across the Middle East have only fueled ongoing resistance movements and prolonged cycles of violence.
Forcibly relocating Gaza’s population would also have severe geopolitical repercussions. Arab nations that have recently moved toward normalization of relations with Israel—including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Morocco—would face domestic backlash and potential unrest if seen as complicit in Palestinian expulsion. Moreover, Egypt’s strong opposition signals that any forced displacement could trigger wider regional instability, drawing in actors like Iran, Hezbollah, and Turkey.
The Role of Western Powers in Shaping the Narrative
Western media and political discourse have played a significant role in shaping public perception of the Gaza crisis. The framing of the conflict often shifts based on which administration is in power. For example:
During the Biden administration, U.S. media largely downplayed reports of Israel considering the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The administration’s backing of Israeli military actions in 2023 and 2024 was often justified under the pretense of self-defense and combating terrorism.
With Trump re-entering the conversation, there has been a sudden pivot to framing the idea of Palestinian displacement as a "Trump policy", despite its deep historical and bipartisan roots.
Democrats who previously supported military aid to Israel are now positioning themselves as opponents of ethnic cleansing, seemingly ignoring the role they played in facilitating Israel’s military campaign.
This selective outrage highlights the performative nature of mainstream politics, where policy continuity is ignored in favor of partisan blame games. Regardless of who is in power, the displacement of Palestinians remains a long-standing, deeply embedded issue within Israeli strategy—one that cannot be reduced to Trump’s rhetoric or Biden’s policies alone.
Conclusion: A Persistent, Dangerous Agenda
The discussions around relocating Gaza’s population are not new, nor are they limited to a particular political administration. The idea of expelling Palestinians has existed for decades, and recent events have only brought it back into mainstream debate.
However, the world must recognize the dangers of this agenda. The forced displacement of Palestinians would violate international law, destabilize the region, and set a dangerous precedent for ethnic cleansing in modern geopolitics.
Rather than debating the logistics of removing Palestinians, the international community should focus on ending the blockade, ensuring humanitarian aid, and fostering genuine peace negotiations. The solution to Gaza’s crisis does not lie in expulsion, it lies in justice, sovereignty, and self-determination for the Palestinian people.