Displacing Gazans is "outrageous" and "imaginary"

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on February 12th rejected proposals to displace Palestinians from Gaza and relocate them to Egypt and Jordan, according to the Middle East Monitor.

Nawaf called the suggestions “imaginary” and warned against any attempt to move Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan.

His remarks come after repeated calls by US President Donald Trump to relocate Gaza’s population and place the enclave under Washington’s control. Arab leaders and Palestinian have widely condemned the idea.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also dismissed Palestinian sovereignty, suggesting that Palestinians should establish a state in Saudi Arabia rather than in their homeland.

“I find this talk outrageous,” Salam told Lebanese state television. “Not only is the idea of transferring the people of Gaza to Egypt and Jordan a visionary issue, but transferring them to the West Bank is outrageous and unacceptable – morally, politically, and legally.”

He urged for “more Arab solidarity to abort these projects and prevent their implementation.”

The proposals come as a ceasefire agreement, in place since January 19th, halts Israel’s assault on Gaza. The war has killed over 48,200 Palestinians and destroyed the enclave.

Salam also addressed Lebanon’s ties with neighbouring Syria. He said that he plans to visit Damascus “soon” but did not confirm a date.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who was appointed president on January 29th has tasked Mohammed Al-Bashir with creating a government to oversee Syria’s transition. Salam said talks in Damascus would include subjects such as border demarcation and the situation of displaced Syrians in Lebanon.

Al-Sharaa has also announced that organising elections in Syria could take up to five years, France 24 via Reuters reported on February 3rd. He vowed to enable a political transition that includes an inclusive government, national conference and elections.

Middle East Monitor