President Trump’s recent suggestion to “clean out” Gaza by moving over a million Palestinians to neighboring countries has set off a wave of criticism. Opponents argue the plan amounts to ethnic cleansing and could lead to serious instability in the region.

Last weekend, Trump floated the idea of relocating Gaza’s population to Jordan and Egypt, calling it a potential solution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. “We just clean out that whole thing,” he said aboard Air Force One, adding that it could be “temporary” or “long-term.” However, both countries quickly dismissed the proposal.

If implemented, this plan would represent a major shift in U.S. policy, moving away from the Biden administration’s stance that Gaza should remain part of a future Palestinian state. It also aligns Trump with some of Israel’s most controversial far-right figures, who have long advocated for removing Palestinians from the territory.

The idea has already garnered support from extremist Israeli politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has denied the existence of a Palestinian people, and Itamar Ben Gvir, who has a history of inciting anti-Arab sentiment. Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders have condemned the proposal as a clear attempt at ethnic displacement.

Even staunch U.S. allies like Senator Lindsey Graham have expressed skepticism. “I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Graham told reporters, calling the idea impractical.

Experts warn that forcing Palestinians into neighboring countries could have devastating consequences. Egypt and Jordan, already grappling with economic challenges and hosting millions of refugees, could face existential threats if they were to accept such a plan. Public outrage would likely destabilize both nations, which are key U.S. allies in the region.

Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected the idea, with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stating, “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians.” Both countries have worked to maintain peace with Israel, but accepting a mass displacement of Palestinians could strain those relationships.

As tensions rise, the question remains: will Trump’s proposal gain traction, or will it provoke a broader backlash across the Middle East? For now, the plan seems to have united critics in opposition, highlighting the complexities of the long-standing conflict.