In a move that has sparked significant controversy, ex-President Donald Trump has proposed transferring the entire population of Gaza to different nations as a possible resolution to the region’s ongoing crisis. This suggestion, presented during a discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, has met with strong disapproval from international aid experts and human rights groups, who caution that such a plan could worsen the already severe humanitarian conditions experienced by Palestinians.
Trump’s remarks outlined a concept for creating what he termed “various domains” in other nations to accommodate the 1.8 million residents of Gaza. He asserted that this would halt the “death and destruction” in the area, emphasizing that Palestinians would only depart from Gaza if provided with a viable option. The proposal has ignited extensive debate, with numerous critics calling it unfeasible and a breach of international regulations.
Persistent humanitarian issues in Gaza
For many years, Gaza has faced severe humanitarian difficulties, worsened by prolonged conflict, blockades, and the breakdown of infrastructure. The continued hostilities between Israel and Hamas have further ravaged the region, leaving its inhabitants in urgent need of essentials such as food, clean water, and healthcare. Aid workers report widespread devastation and displacement, with countless families residing in temporary shelters amidst the debris of their previous homes.
For decades, Gaza has struggled with extreme humanitarian challenges, compounded by years of conflict, blockades, and infrastructure collapse. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has further devastated the territory, leaving its population in desperate need of basic necessities like food, clean water, and medical care. Aid workers describe scenes of widespread destruction and displacement, with thousands of families living in makeshift shelters amid the rubble of their former homes.
According to international organizations, Gaza’s crisis has reached unprecedented levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that out of 36 hospitals and 11 field hospitals in the region, only seven remain fully operational, all located in central or southern Gaza. The rest are either partially functioning or completely out of service due to damage and a lack of resources. This collapse of the healthcare system has left over 111,000 injured individuals, along with newborns, pregnant women, cancer patients, and those with chronic illnesses, without access to adequate medical care.
Displacement as a possible risk
Specialists contend that forcibly moving Gaza’s population would probably intensify the humanitarian crisis instead of solving it. Annelle Sheline, a research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, condemned the proposal as an ill-conceived effort to present displacement as a humanitarian remedy. Sheline highlighted that this plan overlooks the rights of Palestinians to return to their homes and reconstruct their lives within Gaza.
“La idea de trasladar a las personas en un momento en que sus necesidades son tan graves no es una solución”, explicó Sheline. “Es absurdo presentar esto como si fuera por su bien en lugar de centrarse en proporcionar los recursos que necesitan para recuperarse y reconstruir”.
El desplazamiento también plantea serias preocupaciones legales y éticas. El derecho internacional prohíbe la remoción forzada permanente de poblaciones civiles. Además, los expertos advierten que trasladar a los residentes de Gaza a entornos desconocidos podría causar inestabilidad a largo plazo y agravar aún más las vulnerabilidades existentes, como la desnutrición y la falta de acceso a agua potable.
Escasez de alimentos y agua
Food insecurity and water shortages
La escasez de agua es otra preocupación crítica. Según el Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja, el 70% de la infraestructura hídrica vital de Gaza ha sido dañada o destruida durante el conflicto. Muchos residentes ahora dependen de suministros de agua limitados e inseguros, lo que agrava aún más los riesgos de salud a los que se enfrentan.
Water shortages are another critical concern. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, 70% of Gaza’s vital water infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed during the conflict. Many residents are now reliant on limited and unsafe water supplies, further compounding the health risks they face.
Preocupaciones sobre campos de refugiados a largo plazo
Concerns over long-term refugee camps
“El problema fundamental no se trata solo de sobrevivir,” afirmó Sheline. “Los palestinos tienen el derecho a la autodeterminación y a un estado propio. El desplazamiento no aborda esta aspiración esencial y, en cambio, corre el riesgo de dejarlos en el limbo, dependientes de la ayuda y sin un futuro claro.”
La necesidad de soluciones sostenibles
Los expertos coinciden en que la única vía viable para avanzar implica abordar las causas fundamentales de la crisis en Gaza y apoyar a su población dentro del territorio. Esto incluye proporcionar ayuda humanitaria inmediata, reconstruir la infraestructura crítica y garantizar que los palestinos cuenten con los recursos necesarios para recuperarse y reconstruir sus comunidades.
Experts agree that the only viable path forward involves addressing the root causes of Gaza’s crisis and supporting its population within the territory. This includes providing immediate humanitarian aid, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and ensuring that Palestinians have the resources to recover and rebuild their communities.
“The real focus has to be on saving lives and providing long-term solutions within Gaza,” Shakir emphasized. “This means allowing medical professionals and humanitarian workers into the area, scaling up aid deliveries, and investing in projects that restore essential services like healthcare, water, and electricity.”
Sheline echoed this sentiment, arguing that displacement would only shift the crisis to a new location without resolving the underlying issues. “It’s not just about meeting basic needs,” she said. “Palestinians deserve the chance to rebuild their homes, their communities, and their futures in their own land.”
International response to the proposal
Además, la propuesta de Trump ha generado inquietudes sobre las implicaciones más amplias del desplazamiento forzado. Los críticos sostienen que este enfoque subestima el derecho internacional y podría provocar más inestabilidad en una región ya volátil.
Additionally, Trump’s proposal has sparked concerns about the broader implications of forced displacement. Critics argue that such an approach undermines international law and could lead to further instability in an already volatile region.
