On Tuesday, President Donald Trump unveiled an audacious proposal for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip, relocate Palestinians to other countries—regardless of their wishes—and transform the area into what he called “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
This bold suggestion came during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Trump spoke about making Gaza a better place, mentioning plans to clear unexploded bombs and rubble, alongside economic redevelopment. He expressed confidence that the US would take over the territory and “own it.”
While Trump hinted at potential support from key Middle Eastern leaders, both Egypt and Jordan, along with Palestinians, firmly rejected his plan. Trump also emphasized a “long-term ownership” by the US, boasting that the project would turn Gaza into a luxury hub.
Netanyahu voiced his support, calling the proposal potentially “historic” and worthy of consideration.
The proposal quickly gained attention, overshadowing discussions on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Trump expressed disdain for rebuilding Gaza for Palestinians, suggesting that the area had to be transformed without those who had “lived there and died there.”
Palestinian representatives, including Riyad Mansour, rejected the resettlement idea, affirming that “our homeland is our homeland.” Gazans, such as 34-year-old Hatem Azzam, also vehemently opposed the plan, calling it offensive.
Trump was vague on the logistics of his proposal but indicated the possibility of US military presence in the region if necessary. His ideas echoed a previous remark in October, where he claimed Gaza could be “better than Monaco.”
Netanyahu, while welcoming the idea, refrained from commenting on potential further hostilities with Hamas or other regional powers like Hezbollah and Iran. He did express optimism about a potential normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, though Saudi Arabia clarified it would only establish formal ties with Israel if a Palestinian state is established.
Trump’s Gaza plan is likely to encounter significant opposition from Palestinian groups and neighboring Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar, who have all rejected the notion of resettling Palestinians.
The ongoing conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties, including 1,210 Israelis killed and over 47,000 Palestinians. The truce that came into effect on January 18 has allowed for the delivery of aid to Gaza, though hostilities continue in the West Bank.
