Israel Blocks Gazans From North, Accusing Hamas of Cease-Fire Breach
New York TimesJan 27
Trump Floats Plan to 'Clean Out' Gaza
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Above: US Pres. Donald Trump speaks with the press, alongside White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (R), on board Air Force One after departing Las Vegas, Nevada, en route to Miami, Florida, on Jan. 25, 2025. Image copyright: Mandel Ngan/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres. Donald Trump said that he'd like to "just clean out" the war-battered Gaza Strip over the weekend — a suggestion that critics said would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said that he had spoken with King Abdullah II of Jordan earlier in the day, adding that he'd like to see him and Pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt take in a greater number of Palestinians into their countries.
"You're talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing. You know, over the century, it's had many, many conflicts. And I don't know, something has to happen," Trump said.
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Trump understands that as long as Hamas and other radical Islamist groups remain on Israel's doorstep, there will always be more conflict and misery. Trump's suggestion to relocate the Palestinians is a good one and should be taken seriously.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Only the most ill-informed of people do not recognize that Trump's suggestion equates to the forcible deportation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians — violating fundamental tenets of international law and the Geneva Conventions.
