Thousands gathered at the Rafah border crossing on Friday to protest US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal that Egypt and Jordan accept displaced Palestinians from Gaza. This rare state-sanctioned demonstration followed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s rejection of Trump’s suggestion earlier in the week.
The protesters, waving Egyptian and Palestinian flags, voiced strong opposition to the displacement plan, chanting “Long Live Egypt.” Sinai resident Gazy Saeed expressed the widespread sentiment, saying, “We say no to any displacement of Palestine or Gaza at the expense of Egypt, on the land of Sinai.”

Sources close to Al-Sisi confirmed that buses had been provided to transport people to the border crossing, a location typically restricted to civilian movement, highlighting the public’s disapproval of the proposal.
Trump had suggested that Egypt and Jordan should house Palestinian refugees, calling Gaza a “demolition site” after 15 months of Israeli bombardment. While Trump reiterated the plan on Thursday, framing it as a request in exchange for US aid, the idea has been strongly rejected by both Palestinian leaders and neighbouring Arab nations, who see Gaza as a key part of a future Palestinian state.