Publish: 10:24, 26 Jan, 2025

Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more refugees and plans to ‘just clean out’ Gaza

Online Desk
Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more refugees and plans to ‘just clean out’ Gaza
AP Photo

President Donald Trump said Saturday he’d like to see Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations increase the number of Palestinian refugees they are accepting from the Gaza Strip — potentially moving out enough of the population to “just clean out” the war-torn area to create a virtual clean slate.

During a 20-minute question-and-answer session with reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump also said he’s ended his predecessor’s hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. That lifts a pressure point that had been meant to reduce civilian casualties during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza that is now halted by a tenuous ceasefire.

“We released them today,” Trump said of the bombs. “They’ve been waiting for them for a long time.” Asked why he lifted the ban on those bombs, Trump responded, “Because they bought them.”

Trump has built his political career around being unapologetically pro-Israel. On his larger vision for Gaza, Trump said he had call earlier in the day with King Abdullah II of Jordan and would speak Sunday with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt.

“I’d like Egypt to take people,” Trump said. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.’”

Trump said he complimented Jordan for having successfully accepted Palestinian refugees and that he told the king, “I’d love for you to take on more, cause I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess. It’s a real mess.”

He said of such a mass movement of Palestinians, “it could be temporary or long term,” adding that the area of the world that encompasses Gaza, has “had many, many conflicts” over centuries.

“Something has to happen,” Trump said. “But it’s literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything’s demolished, and people are dying there.” He added: “So, I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations, and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change.”

There was no immediate comment from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Trump has offered non-traditional views on the future of Gaza in the past. He suggested after he was inaugurated on Monday that Gaza has “really got to be rebuilt in a different way.”

The new president added then, ”Gaza is interesting. It’s a phenomenal location, on the sea. The best weather, you know, everything is good. It’s like, some beautiful things could be done with it, but it’s very interesting.”

His resuming delivery of large bombs, meanwhile, is a break with then-President Joe Biden, who halted their delivery in May as part of an effort to keep Israel from launching an all-out assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. A month later, Israel did take control of the city, but after the vast majority of the 1 million civilians that had been living or sheltering in Rafah had fled.

Trump’s action comes as he has celebrated the first phase of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that has paused the fighting and seen the release of some hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Negotiations have yet to begin in earnest on the more difficult second phase of the deal that would eventually see the release of all hostages held by Hamas and an enduring halt to the fighting.

The Israeli government has threatened to resume its war against Hamas — which launched a massive counterattack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 — if the remaining hostages are not released.

Source: AP

bd-pratidin/Rafid

More News
Turkiye's Atmaca missile achieves historic underwater firing test milestone
Turkiye's Atmaca missile achieves historic underwater firing test milestone
UK tightens visa rules for care workers
UK tightens visa rules for care workers
Azerbaijan, Armenia reach historic agreement on peace deal
Azerbaijan, Armenia reach historic agreement on peace deal
NATO planning underwater attacks against Russia, says Putin aide
NATO planning underwater attacks against Russia, says Putin aide
Turkiye's 2,000-year-old Roman bath reopens after restoration
Turkiye's 2,000-year-old Roman bath reopens after restoration
South Africa-EU summit centers on boosting trade and diplomatic ties
South Africa-EU summit centers on boosting trade and diplomatic ties
China is taking issue with Trump’s move to link tariffs to fentanyl
China is taking issue with Trump’s move to link tariffs to fentanyl
Trump claims to back free speech, critics differ
Trump claims to back free speech, critics differ
Putin likely to set his own terms for Ukraine ceasefire
Putin likely to set his own terms for Ukraine ceasefire
Iran rejects talks under US ‘maximum pressure’
Iran rejects talks under US ‘maximum pressure’
Rubio may face an unfriendly reception from G7 allies over Trump’s policies
Rubio may face an unfriendly reception from G7 allies over Trump’s policies
US flies all 40 migrants held at Guantanamo to Louisiana
US flies all 40 migrants held at Guantanamo to Louisiana
Latest News
Most of the train tickets for western region sold out in 9 minutes
Most of the train tickets for western region sold out in 9 minutes
8 minutes ago | National
UN Secretary General meets Chief Adviser
UN Secretary General meets Chief Adviser
37 minutes ago | National
Turkiye's Atmaca missile achieves historic underwater firing test milestone
Turkiye's Atmaca missile achieves historic underwater firing test milestone
1 hour ago | International
Foreign Affairs Adviser calls on UN Secretary General
Foreign Affairs Adviser calls on UN Secretary General
1 hour ago | National
Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning
Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning
1 hour ago | City
May no one dare to commit such crimes in future: Tarique Rahman
May no one dare to commit such crimes in future: Tarique Rahman
2 hours ago | National
Huawei linked to EU Parliament bribery scandal as police raid Belgium, Portugal
Huawei linked to EU Parliament bribery scandal as police raid Belgium, Portugal
2 hours ago | Tech
UK tightens visa rules for care workers
UK tightens visa rules for care workers
2 hours ago | International
Azerbaijan, Armenia reach historic agreement on peace deal
Azerbaijan, Armenia reach historic agreement on peace deal
3 hours ago | International
NATO planning underwater attacks against Russia, says Putin aide
NATO planning underwater attacks against Russia, says Putin aide
3 hours ago | International
Turkiye's 2,000-year-old Roman bath reopens after restoration
Turkiye's 2,000-year-old Roman bath reopens after restoration
4 hours ago | International
Pakistani model Zara Ahmed in Bangladeshi film
Pakistani model Zara Ahmed in Bangladeshi film
4 hours ago | Entertainment
Former DU vice-chancellor Arefin Siddique passes away
Former DU vice-chancellor Arefin Siddique passes away
4 hours ago | City
No place for autocracy in Bangladesh: Moin Khan
No place for autocracy in Bangladesh: Moin Khan
14 hours ago | National
The Power of Sisu
The Power of Sisu
14 hours ago | Lifestyle
BNP to review Reform Commission proposal and provide opinions: Salahuddin
BNP to review Reform Commission proposal and provide opinions: Salahuddin
15 hours ago | National
Asiya laid to rest, entire village engulfed in grief
Asiya laid to rest, entire village engulfed in grief
15 hours ago | National
CA asks to stay ready for facing LDC graduation challenges
CA asks to stay ready for facing LDC graduation challenges
16 hours ago | National
FAO, Bangladesh to work jointly for fostering food security
FAO, Bangladesh to work jointly for fostering food security
16 hours ago | National
India's statement on Bangladesh elections unwarranted: Foreign Ministry
India's statement on Bangladesh elections unwarranted: Foreign Ministry
17 hours ago | National
Simeone stays positive after another defeat by Atletico against Madrid
Simeone stays positive after another defeat by Atletico against Madrid
17 hours ago | Sports
UN Secretary General arrives in Dhaka
UN Secretary General arrives in Dhaka
18 hours ago | National
South Africa-EU summit centers on boosting trade and diplomatic ties
South Africa-EU summit centers on boosting trade and diplomatic ties
18 hours ago | International
Saif Ali Khan resumes work after stabbing incident
Saif Ali Khan resumes work after stabbing incident
19 hours ago | Entertainment
Australian ex-cricketer MacGill found guilty of cocaine supply charge
Australian ex-cricketer MacGill found guilty of cocaine supply charge
19 hours ago | Sports
Bangladesh elected VP of South Asian Para Sports Federation
Bangladesh elected VP of South Asian Para Sports Federation
19 hours ago | Sports
Travel embargo imposed on ex-BGB DG Shafeenul, wife
Travel embargo imposed on ex-BGB DG Shafeenul, wife
19 hours ago | National
China is taking issue with Trump’s move to link tariffs to fentanyl
China is taking issue with Trump’s move to link tariffs to fentanyl
19 hours ago | International
Govt approves BSMMU’s renaming to ‘Bangladesh Medical University’
Govt approves BSMMU’s renaming to ‘Bangladesh Medical University’
19 hours ago | National
Yunus to hold talks with Xi on March 28: Foreign Ministry
Yunus to hold talks with Xi on March 28: Foreign Ministry
19 hours ago | National
Most Read
Asiya laid to rest, entire village engulfed in grief
Asiya laid to rest, entire village engulfed in grief
15 hours ago | National
The Power of Sisu
The Power of Sisu
14 hours ago | Lifestyle
Yunus to hold talks with Xi on March 28: Foreign Ministry
Yunus to hold talks with Xi on March 28: Foreign Ministry
20 hours ago | National
Magura child rape trial to begin in 7 days: Law Advisor
Magura child rape trial to begin in 7 days: Law Advisor
20 hours ago | National
NBR cuts source tax on fresh fruit imports to 5%
NBR cuts source tax on fresh fruit imports to 5%
21 hours ago | Business
EC employees announce 'Operational Halt' program
EC employees announce 'Operational Halt' program
23 hours ago | National
10 countries with the longest lives and their key secrets
10 countries with the longest lives and their key secrets
22 hours ago | Lifestyle
Economic stagnation: Government slashes budget, cuts spending
Economic stagnation: Government slashes budget, cuts spending
21 hours ago | Special
Chewing harder foods may improve memory: Scientists
Chewing harder foods may improve memory: Scientists
20 hours ago | Lifestyle
10 expert tips to stay hydrated during Ramadan
10 expert tips to stay hydrated during Ramadan
22 hours ago | Lifestyle
Govt proposes raising age limit for doctors in BCS exam to 34
Govt proposes raising age limit for doctors in BCS exam to 34
22 hours ago | National
Pakistani model Zara Ahmed in Bangladeshi film
Pakistani model Zara Ahmed in Bangladeshi film
4 hours ago | Entertainment
8-year-old Magura rape victim passes away
8-year-old Magura rape victim passes away
23 hours ago | National
UN Secretary General arrives in Dhaka
UN Secretary General arrives in Dhaka
18 hours ago | National
Govt approves BSMMU’s renaming to ‘Bangladesh Medical University’
Govt approves BSMMU’s renaming to ‘Bangladesh Medical University’
19 hours ago | National
Bashundhara Shuvosangho donates goods for sale to physically challenged trader
Bashundhara Shuvosangho donates goods for sale to physically challenged trader
23 hours ago | Shuvosangho
Police to strengthen vigilance countrywide during Eid
Police to strengthen vigilance countrywide during Eid
21 hours ago | National
India's statement on Bangladesh elections unwarranted: Foreign Ministry
India's statement on Bangladesh elections unwarranted: Foreign Ministry
17 hours ago | National
Handle anti-discrimination and coordinators
Handle anti-discrimination and coordinators
23 hours ago | Special
US influencer draws backlash for stealing baby wombat from mum
US influencer draws backlash for stealing baby wombat from mum
22 hours ago | International
Trump claims to back free speech, critics differ
Trump claims to back free speech, critics differ
20 hours ago | International
CA condoles death of Magura rape victim
CA condoles death of Magura rape victim
22 hours ago | National
Travel embargo imposed on ex-BGB DG Shafeenul, wife
Travel embargo imposed on ex-BGB DG Shafeenul, wife
19 hours ago | National
Putin likely to set his own terms for Ukraine ceasefire
Putin likely to set his own terms for Ukraine ceasefire
20 hours ago | International
South Africa-EU summit centers on boosting trade and diplomatic ties
South Africa-EU summit centers on boosting trade and diplomatic ties
18 hours ago | International
Court freezes bank accounts of ex-MP Sadek Khan, family
Court freezes bank accounts of ex-MP Sadek Khan, family
21 hours ago | City
Businesses face slow growth amid high costs
Businesses face slow growth amid high costs
22 hours ago | Business
FAO, Bangladesh to work jointly for fostering food security
FAO, Bangladesh to work jointly for fostering food security
16 hours ago | National
CA asks to stay ready for facing LDC graduation challenges
CA asks to stay ready for facing LDC graduation challenges
16 hours ago | National
BCB pays tribute to Mahmudullah’s career
BCB pays tribute to Mahmudullah’s career
22 hours ago | Sports