Trump proposes US takeover of Gaza, sparking global reactions

Former US President Donald Trump has proposed an unprecedented plan for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip, relocate its Palestinian population, and transform the war-torn enclave into what he called “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

Trump made the announcement on Tuesday during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. His remarks were met with audible gasps as he outlined his vision for Gaza’s future.

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” Trump declared, adding that the plan included clearing rubble and rebuilding the territory.

A Controversial Proposal

Trump provided little detail on how more than two million Palestinians would be relocated or how the US would maintain control over Gaza. He claimed to have support from “the highest leadership” in the Middle East and pressured Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Palestinians, despite both countries rejecting the idea.

He suggested that Gaza should not be rebuilt for its current residents, saying, “It should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have… lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there.”

Palestinian officials and residents have strongly opposed the proposal. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian envoy to the UN, insisted, “Our homeland is our homeland. And I think that leaders and people should respect the wishes of the Palestinian people.”

Gazans also condemned the idea. “Trump thinks Gaza is a pile of garbage — absolutely not,” said Hatem Azzam, a resident of Rafah.

Netanyahu’s Reaction and Regional Implications

Netanyahu, who was making his first visit to the White House since Trump’s return to power, called the plan “worth paying attention to” and praised Trump as Israel’s “greatest friend.” However, the proposal is expected to face strong resistance from the international community.

Saudi Arabia, a key regional player, stated that it would not normalize relations with Israel unless a Palestinian state was established. Meanwhile, Egypt, Jordan, and ceasefire mediator Qatar have outright rejected any forced displacement of Gazans.

Conflict and Ceasefire Developments

The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,210 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in at least 47,518 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

A ceasefire that began on January 18 has allowed aid to enter Gaza, but tensions remain high as Israel continues military operations in the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will “end the war by winning the war,” while also expressing optimism about a potential peace deal with Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s radical proposal adds a new dimension to an already volatile situation, with global leaders watching closely to see how the US and Middle Eastern nations respond.