Netanyahu praises Trump plan to move Palestinians out of Gaza

Israeli PM Netanyahu supports Trump's idea of displacing Palestinians from Gaza, drawing international criticism and condemnation from rights groups.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) there was nothing wrong with Donald Trump's idea of displacing Palestinians from Gaza after the U.S. President's proposal drew international criticism.

Rights groups have condemned as ethnic cleansing Mr. Trump's suggestion the previous day that Palestinians in the enclave should be permanently displaced, while also proposing a U.S. takeover of Gaza.

In an interview with Fox News, Mr. Netanyahu did not explicitly talk about Mr. Trump's idea of the United States taking over the Gaza Strip but backed the idea of "allowing Gazans who want to leave to leave."

He added, "I mean, what's wrong with that? They can leave, they can then come back, they can relocate and come back. But you have to rebuild Gaza."

Mr. Netanyahu said he did not believe Mr. Trump suggested sending U.S. troops to fight Hamas in Gaza or that Washington would finance rebuilding efforts.

"This is the first good idea that I've heard," he added. "It's a remarkable idea, and I think it should be really pursued, examined, pursued and done, because I think it will create a different future for everyone."

Since January 25, Mr. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should be taken in by regional Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan, an idea rejected by both the Arab states and Palestinian leaders.