Palestinians in Gaza Have a Right to Return to their Homes; Refugees International Alarmed by Trump Call to ‘Clean Out’ Palestinians from Gaza

Statement from Refugees International:
“U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to “clean out” Gaza and his pressure on Jordan and Egypt to take in expelled Palestinians are deeply alarming and could threaten the fragile ceasefire that his team helped to broker earlier this month. Gaza’s Palestinians have been clear that they do not intend to leave, and countries in the region have been clear that they will not be party to ethnic cleansing. The forcible transfer of Gaza’s people would be a blatant crime under international law, and this rhetoric has no precedent across previous administrations of either party. Palestinians have the immediate right to voluntarily return to their homes and begin rebuilding their lives after more than 15 months of war. Any action that leads to the mass forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza would be a humanitarian catastrophe, destabilize the current ceasefire, and destroy hopes of a viable peace.
Palestinians have endured immense suffering and protracted displacement amid the brutal conflict between Israel and Hamas. With a ceasefire now in place, millions experiencing acute humanitarian conditions, and some 90 percent of homes in Gaza destroyed, efforts should now focus on aid and rebuilding.
Trump’s suggestion echoes dangerous calls by senior Israeli officials who have advocated for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, a move that would undermine any hope for long-term peace and stability. Such proposals would also further strain Egypt and Jordan, who already host large Palestinian refugee populations and face economic and security challenges of their own. Mass displacement would only exacerbate regional instability and deepen the region’s humanitarian crisis.
Refugees International urges the U.S. government and international partners to stand firmly against this dangerous narrative and uphold policies that respect Palestinian rights and dignity.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.
Featured image: Displaced Palestinians use the Netzarim Corridor to reach their homes in North Gaza during the ceasefire, on January 27, 2025. Ramez Habboub/ GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images.