Trump mulls displacing Gazans to Morocco, Puntland, Somaliland: Report

Morocco, Puntland, and Somaliland have been named as potential destinations for Palestinians who can be forcibly expelled from Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to “take over” the strip.

The Trump administration proposed relocating Gazans to Morocco, the Puntland State of Somalia, and the secessionist Republic of Somaliland, noting that their dependence on Washington’s recognition are expected to be used to advance the US president’s proposal, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. 

Morocco seeks recognition of its sovereignty over the disputed Western Saraha, while Somaliland and Puntland are not recognized globally as independent countries.

The report came as Trump on Thursday said Gaza will be “turned over” to the US by Israel, as part of his plan to expel the Palestinian territory’s residents to neighboring countries and take it over.

Trump had insisted that neighboring countries, namely Egypt and Jordan would accept displaced Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, despite their opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians.

His remarks sparked widespread condemnations from Palestine, the UN and the Arab world as a potentially fatal blow to the so-called two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Trump is also planning a transfer of about 100,000 Palestinians to foreign countries, including Albania and Indonesia, according to a previous report by Channel 12.

The report referred to Albania as "a poor European country in need of a workforce, with the potential to offer significant incentives to persuade it to absorb large numbers of Palestinian refugees."

Trump: Israel to hand over Gaza Strip to US at end of war

US President Donald Trump says Gaza will be “turned over” to the US at the end of the Israeli war on the territory, but that “no soldiers by the US would be needed.”

Spain, Ireland slam Israel's suggestion to house displaced Palestinians

Trump’s plan was hailed by Israeli minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, who also suggested that Spain, Ireland, Norway, and other countries that condemned Israel’s war in Gaza, “are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories.”

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Thursday rejected the suggestion of Katz, stressing “First of all … no one should even be debating about where Palestinian Gazans should go, because that debate is closed. The land of Palestinian Gazans is Gaza. Gaza should be part of the future Palestinian state, just as Spain and the majority of the planet’s nations recognize.”

“What we are doing is introducing our humanitarian aid as much as possible to help the people after more than 45,000 innocent people fell victim to indiscriminate bombings,” Albares said in an interview with broadcaster RNE.

He further said the world needs to help rebuild Gaza as a “first step” to getting the state of Palestine, which includes Gaza and the occupied West Bank, “on its feet.”

Arab League, OIC condemn Trump’s Gaza ‘takeover’ scheme

The Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have condemned in the strongest terms US President Donald Trump’s remarks on the “takeover” of Gaza.

“The EU has made it clear that it is positioned in favor of a two-state solution,” he emphasized.

Ireland's Foreign Ministry also hit back at Katz's comments, calling them "unhelpful and a source of distraction.”

“The objective must be a massive scale-up of aid into Gaza, return of basic services, and a clear framework under which those displaced can return,” the ministry said.

Last year, Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state in a coordinated attempt to exert added international pressure on the regime to stop its genocidal campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The announcement by Spain, Ireland and Norway to recognize Palestinian statehood triggered an angry response from Israel, which recalled its ambassadors to the three countries.

US refuses to ensure Palestinians can stay in Gaza under Trump's plan

The White House has refrained from assuring that any Palestinians wishing to remain in the besieged Gaza Strip would be allowed to do so following Trump’s controversial proposal.

More than two-thirds of the United Nations, approximately 140 countries, already recognize a Palestinian state.

During the 15 months of the Israeli regime’s genocidal war against the people of Palestine that began in October 2023, more than 47,583 were killed, and 111,633 injured, most of them children and women.

Gaza’s 2.3 million population has been internally displaced multiple times and much of the besieged territory is in ruins.

On January 15, the Israeli regime, failing to achieve any of its war objectives including the “elimination” of Hamas or the release of captives, was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

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