Muslim nations say Israel's Gaza expulsion plans threaten Trump peace deal

Eight Muslim-majority nations condemned Israeli government plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza on Sunday. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey warned the proposals threaten Trump's US-backed peace plan for the territory. The condemnation follows separate statements from two Israeli ministers outlining plans to relocate Gaza's roughly two million residents.

What are Israel's plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza?

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel had drawn up plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza, but was awaiting US approval on a destination for the displaced population. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir added details a day later, describing a phased removal starting with 250,000 people.

How many Palestinians would the plan displace?

Ben Gvir said the plan aimed to remove 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza within the first year. The remaining roughly two million residents would follow over the subsequent six years, according to his timeline. Neither minister specified where the displaced population would be relocated.

Why do Muslim nations say the plan threatens Trump's peace deal?

The foreign ministers of the eight countries condemned, in the strongest terms, the mechanisms proposed for forcibly expelling Palestinians from their land. They warned of grave consequences if calls for forced displacement became declared policy or practical measures. Such steps directly challenge international efforts toward peace, the ministers said, pointing specifically to Trump's October 2025 plan to end the Gaza conflict, which includes a firm rejection of forced displacement.

What did the US say about the expulsion claims?

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denied on Saturday that Israel had any plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza. Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israel and Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, made the denial a day before the eight countries issued their joint statement. His comments stand in contrast to the ministers' warnings about the two Israeli ministers' proposals.