The bodies of Palestinian paramedics who were killed in Israeli military fire on ambulances (photo: AFP)
The forced displacement of Gazans has been a hot topic since the inauguration of Donald Trump for another term. In late March, the Associated Press (AP) reported US outreach to Sudan, Somalia, and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, which lacks international recognition, to accommodate them.
According to two unnamed Sudanese officials cited by AP, Washington’s proposal, conveyed by Trump’s team prior to the inauguration, was rejected by Khartoum. The offer included US military assistance and weapons to the army in its war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as a pledge to contribute to reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of Sudan’s Civil War, which escalated in 2022.
CBS News quoted the Somali ambassador to Washington as saying that neither the US administration nor Israel had initiated any such communication with Mogadishu. “We are worried such news could further promote recruitment in extremist groups,” the ambassador said. Officials from Somaliland likewise denied any contact from US or Israeli parties.
The first public proposal to displace Gazans surfaced a few days after Trump’s inauguration, suggesting moving Gazans to Egypt and Jordan. The two Arab countries quickly rejected the proposal. In response, Trump took a step back, saying the US does not intend to “forcibly” displace Palestinians and adding that he wants to transfer them to a “beautiful place.” He further proposed transforming the Gaza Strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
One of the more provocative and controversial moves followed in late February, when Trump shared an AI-generated video on his Truth Social platform depicting the Gaza Strip as a luxurious tourist resort, including bearded belly dancers. The video was criticised for being culturally offensive.
The Gaza Strip has been enduring a humanitarian catastrophe since the eighth Israeli war on Gaza, which erupted following an attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023.
The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza has led to the death of more than 50,000 Palestinians, while thousands remain beneath the rubble. Around 120,000 have been injured, and over 90 per cent of the buildings and homes in the Gaza Strip, where approximately 2.3 million people reside, have been completely or partially destroyed.
With the renewal of the Israeli war, it may be difficult to assume there is Palestinian consensus on not leaving the homeland. However, holding onto their land seems to be the logical option for Palestinians, obviously for patriotic reasons, but also in the light of economic and social realities.
“I cannot imagine a Palestinian leaving Gaza to go to Sudan or Somalia,” says paediatrician Ragaai Okasha. Having left the Strip with his family during the early weeks of the war, Okasha added, “those who consider leaving are primarily young people, and they aspire to migrate to European countries, where employment and the possibility of settlement exist.”
However, he noted, “migration to Europe is not simple. It requires complex visa processes and is generally limited to those with academic degrees or professional credentials.” European Union and Western nations prioritise technically skilled professionals to meet urgent workforce demands — qualifications that are scarce in Gaza.
Ammar Fattouh, an English teacher, says, “I will not move to Sudan or Somalia, where so many locals are themselves seeking to emigrate. What we need is a country that offers employment opportunities and a stable future. I have a family. I cannot take the risk of going to such countries to attempt illegal migration to Europe. Even the Gulf states offer no work opportunities. Most young Gazans lack the technical skills, and only a small number are qualified in professions like teaching, medicine, or engineering.”
Unfortunately, the Gaza Strip’s strained university system limits access to quality education and vocational development, restricting the ability of young Palestinians to meet the criteria for immigration to Europe or even to Gulf labour markets.
It seems the chances of implementing Trump’s proposed displacement scheme are remote, but the businessman-turned-politician will not stop trying.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 10 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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