Arab Nations Plan Gaza Reconstruction Without Displacing Residents

Arab countries are working on a proposal to rebuild Gaza without displacing its population, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Friday, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion of relocating Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed his country’s opposition to the resettlement of Palestinians, stating that Jordan “cannot afford any more” refugees. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he emphasised that Palestinians do not want to leave Gaza and should not be forced to relocate.

The Arab initiative, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, aims to develop a long-term plan for Gaza’s future, countering Trump’s proposal, which suggested clearing Palestinians from the enclave. Jordan’s King Abdullah raised the issue with Trump during his visit to Washington on February 11, stressing that the Arab plan would be a more cost-effective and viable alternative.

“We are working on an Arab proposal that will show that we can rebuild Gaza without displacing its people, that we can have a plan that will guarantee security and governance,” Safadi said. He also urged Israel to consider long-term regional stability, warning that continued instability would threaten future peace.

Meanwhile, Safadi expressed concerns over rising tensions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, calling it a “powder keg that could explode.” Thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in the territory, which Israel views as part of a broader conflict involving Iranian-backed groups in the region.

Saudi Arabia is leading urgent efforts to formalise the Arab plan, with regional leaders aiming to present an alternative to Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future.

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