Trump Clarifies Gaza Plan: ‘Nobody’s Expelling Any Palestinians’ Amid Arab-Led Reconstruction Proposal

In a significant shift from his earlier rhetoric, former U.S. President Donald Trump has clarified that his administration’s plan for the Gaza Strip does not involve the forced expulsion of Palestinians. The announcement, made during a press briefing in the Oval Office alongside Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin, marks the first time Trump has explicitly stated that Gazans will not be compelled to leave the war-torn enclave.

When asked about his plan to “expel Palestinians out of Gaza,” Trump interjected, “Nobody’s expelling any Palestinians.” This statement contrasts with his earlier remarks in February, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, where Trump suggested that Gaza’s population of roughly 2 million people would be “permanently” relocated. At the time, Trump insisted that no Gazans would want to remain in the Strip, which has been devastated by years of conflict.

The clarification comes as Arab nations, led by Egypt, have proposed a comprehensive plan for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and governance. The Egyptian plan, endorsed by the Arab League, envisions a temporary committee of independent Palestinian technocrats managing Gaza for six months before transferring control to the Palestinian Authority. It also calls for international peacekeeping troops to be deployed through a UN Security Council resolution and for Egypt and Jordan to train Palestinian Authority police officers to maintain law and order.

Arab Proposal for Gaza’s Future
The Arab League’s plan divides Gaza into seven zones, each to be rebuilt consecutively, allowing Palestinians to remain in the Strip throughout the process. This approach directly contradicts earlier comments from Trump and other U.S. officials, who argued that Gaza would not be safe for Palestinians during the 10 to 15 years required for reconstruction.

US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff (second from L) meets with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan along with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s top aide Hussein al-Sheikh in Doha, Qatar on March 12, 2025. (Qatari foreign ministry)

However, the Arab proposal does not explicitly address the future of Hamas, the militant group that has controlled Gaza since 2007. Instead, it emphasizes that the issue of armed groups in Gaza can only be resolved through a broader political process aimed at establishing a Palestinian state. This omission has frustrated the Trump administration, which views Hamas’s removal from power as essential to ensuring Gaza’s stability and preventing future conflicts.

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, a key figure in Trump’s diplomatic efforts, has described the Egyptian plan as a “good faith first step” with “a lot of compelling features.” Witkoff met with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan in Doha to discuss the proposal. The group agreed to continue consultations, signaling a potential alignment of U.S. and Arab strategies for Gaza’s future.

Trump’s Evolving Stance
Trump’s refusal to clarify his Gaza plan over the past month had placed him to the right of even Netanyahu and his hardline allies, who have consistently maintained that Palestinians would not be forced to leave Gaza. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem welcomed Trump’s apparent retreat, urging him to avoid aligning with the “extreme Zionist right.”

During the Oval Office briefing, Trump also reiterated his commitment to resolving the Gaza crisis, stating, “We’re working hard with Israel… to see [how] we can solve the problem.” He lamented that the world is forgetting the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 and emphasized the brutal treatment of hostages by the militant group.

Controversial Comments on Chuck Schumer
In a controversial aside, Trump referred to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a “Palestinian,” using the term as an insult. “And Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned,” Trump said. “You know, he’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian.”

The remarks drew criticism from liberal Jewish organizations and sparked widespread debate online. Schumer, a prominent Jewish politician, has frequently spoken about his Jewish identity and is set to release a book on combating antisemitism. A spokesperson for Schumer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Path Forward
As the international community grapples with the complexities of Gaza’s future, Trump’s softened stance and the Arab-led proposal offer a glimmer of hope for a lasting resolution. However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding Hamas’s role and the broader political process needed to establish a Palestinian state.

With Witkoff continuing to engage Arab leaders and Trump signaling a more pragmatic approach, the coming months will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can bring an end to one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.