During a meeting at the White House, former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed their backing for relocating Palestinians from Gaza to other countries. This stance, previously criticized as a form of forced transfer, was reiterated during a dinner held in the Blue Room. The meeting coincided with ongoing indirect negotiations, facilitated by the US, between Israel and Hamas in Qatar, aimed at achieving a potential 60-day ceasefire to halt the 21-month conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu stated that they were working with the US to find countries willing to offer Palestinians a better future, while Trump also voiced his support, suggesting positive outcomes. Amidst these discussions, concerns have been raised, with critics denouncing the relocation plan as a form of ethnic cleansing. Furthermore, the lack of a concrete plan for relocation and the potential for it to hinder any post-war agreement in Gaza have also been highlighted. The talks in Qatar are centered around a framework involving a phased release of captives, Israeli withdrawals, and broader discussions to end the war, although Netanyahu has rejected a full Palestinian state and insisted on Israel’s security control over Gaza.
