Palestinians are gradually making their way back to northern Gaza, but many are finding little left of their homes. Much of the area’s essential infrastructure, like hospitals and schools, is in ruins. As they return, some experience emotional reunions, while others face the grim task of searching for the remains of loved ones. Amid the wreckage of their former lives, they seek a glimmer of hope.
Yet, fresh challenges are on the horizon. There’s a tense standoff between Israel and the United Nations concerning Unwra, the relief agency dedicated to helping Palestinians. A new Israeli law, set to terminate all cooperation with this agency, is scheduled to come into effect on Thursday—right as desperately needed aid is starting to flow into Gaza. Aid experts warn that no other organization currently has the capacity to provide the long-term support the residents so urgently need.
Another concern is the fragility of the ceasefire and the hostage release agreement. Progressing to the next phase—where Israel is to fully withdraw and Hamas is meant to disarm—is expected to be significantly tougher. Meanwhile, there are rising worries about the Israeli military action in Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank. Israeli officials have indicated this could signal a change in the objectives of the conflict. In Lebanon, 26 protesters met their deaths at the hands of Israeli forces during demonstrations against their ongoing presence. The deadline for withdrawal, as per the ceasefire agreement, has now been pushed back to February 18.
Amid these developments, former President Donald Trump has stirred tensions with his proposal over the weekend. He suggested “cleaning out that whole thing,” implying that about one and a half million Palestinians might temporarily or permanently leave Gaza, possibly relocating to Jordan or Egypt. Given their past experiences of forced displacements, Palestinians have little reason to believe they would ever return. It evokes memories of the Nakba. On Monday, the idea was reiterated by the US president, with Indonesia even mentioned as another possible destination. This is more than just a fleeting comment. Although the president expressed a seemingly compassionate notion that Palestinians could reside somewhere “safer” and “more comfortable,” the idea has been met with horror. Dressing up forced removal doesn’t change the harsh reality that it would constitute a war crime.
These disturbing remarks are welcomed by Israel’s far right. The primary aim could be to bolster Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to keep his coalition partners aligned. The Israeli prime minister, who is expected to meet with Mr. Trump soon, has largely dismissed plans for the future “day after” in Gaza, mostly because he has tried to delay such discussions. Expelling Palestinians from the north would be considerably harder now that hundreds of thousands have returned. Jordan and Egypt are not willing to accept them due to political and security reasons. Key players on the international stage have made their opposition clear, and Mr. Trump still holds hope for a Saudi-Israeli normalization as part of a broader regional agreement. His administration may be banking on the notion that enough strain on aid could lead to a smaller relocation within the region, or potentially a larger one elsewhere.
Trump’s suggestion doesn’t need to be viable to cause harm. It emboldens Israel’s radical right—already encouraged by the lifting of US sanctions on aggressive West Bank settlers—and further diminishes the humanity of Palestinians. Trump seems to view them merely as obstacles to real estate deals and his much-discussed grand bargain, rather than people with a fundamental right to determine their own destiny. While the US claims commitment to a two-state solution, this stance often seems more theoretical. Nonetheless, it remains meaningful, as Palestinians still deserve a long-term future in a nation of their own.
