Amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statements regarding the ‘day after’ in the Gaza Strip, the debate over the feasibility of voluntary Palestinian migration from the enclave has resurfaced. Trump proposed that 1.5 million Gazans migrate to neighboring Arab countries until reconstruction is completed, but this has been met with strong opposition from Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar.
Will Gazans Consider Leaving Their Homes?
Despite the opposition Trump remains adamant, asserting that Arab leadership “will have to agree” to this solution. He’s not alone — his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is currently working on the hostage deal, also believes this plan is feasible. But how realistic is this?
Speaking exclusively with Rega News, Dr. Edy Cohen, a Middle East expert and influential figure in Arabic social media, discussed the possibility of Gazans voluntarily leaving the devastated enclave and the potential regional and the political implications.
“Emigration Is Every Young Gazan’s Dream”
RN: Would Gaza’s residents actually consider voluntarily leaving their homes?
Dr. Cohen: “Even before October 7th, we saw thousands of young Gazans leaving the Strip. Some risked their lives crossing the sea to reach Europe. This is every young Gazan’s dream. So after all this destruction, their desire to leave has intensified many times over. But it’s important to remember — Trump is a businessman, and he wants to rebuild Gaza. He doesn’t care what happens to the Palestinians. He wants to bring in American companies to start construction and make money.”
Dr. Cohen explains that Israel and Trump have conflicting interests in this regard. “Trump wants to improve the lives of Gazans. If they currently have a four-room apartment, he wants to give them five rooms with a balcony. This is actually good for us because we want them to leave. He is offering them a temporary stay in Egypt and Jordan, followed by a return to better homes.”
“No One Will Want to Live in Gaza Like This”
RN: Could the stated goal of “improving the living conditions of Gazans” just be a façade, while the real intention is to encourage them to leave permanently?
Dr. Cohen: “We can’t take the risk of assuming that’s his real plan, because he wants to start rebuilding Gaza immediately. In principle, they should be punished by taking away some of their land, not by giving them more gifts. In my opinion, they should remain in this destruction for many years. That’s what they deserve. They should deal with the mess they created. They will end up paying thousands of dollars to Egyptians just to let them cross the border.”
He believes that a gradual, quiet migration process would be best, without overly dramatic declarations. “We need to keep a low profile and let it happen slowly.”
Rafah Border Crossing | Photo: Oren Cohen/Flash90
Dr. Cohen also notes that despite videos circulating on Arab social media of Gazans claiming they won’t leave, the reality is different. “We know this isn’t true. Who can live in these ruins? Who can live without electricity or water? No one will want to stay in Gaza like this.”
“If they could, they would leave right now,” Cohen states firmly. “I have no doubt about that. But unfortunately, the crossings remain closed because Arab countries don’t want them. I believe Egypt would open the crossings if we told them we have Palestinians with visas to Singapore, Indonesia, or other countries. They would allow them to pass through as part of a transit agreement. Moreover, we could bus them directly from Gaza to an airport and put them on flights to those countries.”
RN: Do you think any countries would take in the Gazans?
Dr. Cohen: “I believe they can be distributed among various countries. Canada is a country that accepts immigrants from all over the world—it could take tens of thousands of them. Ireland claims to love the Palestinians—so let the Irish take in a few tens of thousands. We could spread them across multiple countries.”
“The name of the game now is to empty Gaza of Gazans, but nothing should be done by force. I speak to many who want to leave, and they are just waiting for the opportunity.”
