Washington (AP) – Former President Donald Trump has suggested that displaced Palestinians from Gaza should be permanently resettled outside the war-torn region. He also proposed that the United States should take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump’s bold proposal on Tuesday is likely to complicate the next phase of negotiations aimed at extending the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and ensuring the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. His controversial remarks come at a critical moment when peace talks are gaining momentum, with promises to increase humanitarian aid and reconstruction supplies for the people of Gaza, who have suffered through more than 15 months of devastating conflict.
Now, Trump appears to be advocating for the displacement of nearly 1.8 million people from their homeland, suggesting that the U.S. should take control of Gaza—potentially even involving American troops. Speaking at a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump stated:
“The United States will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will work with it.”
Drawing from his background as a New York real estate developer, Trump further added:
“We will make sure it is world-class. It will be great for the people—especially for the Palestinians, because we are mainly talking about the Palestinians.”
During his discussions with Netanyahu at the White House, Trump reiterated his vision, emphasizing that once Palestinians are resettled elsewhere, the U.S. would redevelop the region into a place where “people from around the world, including Palestinians, could live.”
However, he provided no details on how the U.S. would claim this land or under what authority it would undertake such redevelopment.
Allies reject the idea
Middle Eastern Allies Warn Trump Against Forcing Palestinians Out of Gaza
Egypt, Jordan, and other U.S. allies in the Middle East have cautioned Donald Trump that forcing Palestinians out of Gaza could destabilize the region, risk escalating the conflict, and undermine decades of efforts toward a two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia reacted sharply to Trump’s proposal, reaffirming its “firm, unwavering, and resolute stance” in support of an independent Palestinian state. The kingdom is currently in talks with the United States about recognizing Israel diplomatically in exchange for security agreements and other conditions.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia emphasized, “The duty of the international community today is to work towards alleviating the severe humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people, who remain committed to their land and will not back down.”
Trump Insists Palestinians Have “No Other Option” But to Leave Gaza
Despite widespread opposition, Trump maintains that Palestinians have no choice but to leave Gaza, describing the region as a “huge pile of rubble.” He dismissed the three-to-five-year reconstruction timeline proposed in a temporary ceasefire agreement, calling it unrealistic.
Last week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II rejected Trump’s call to resettle Palestinians outside Gaza. However, Trump expressed confidence that Egypt, Jordan, and unnamed other countries would eventually agree to take them in.
“If you look back decades, everything in Gaza is about death,” Trump said. “It has been happening for years. It’s all death. But if we can create a beautiful place where people can settle permanently in good homes—where they can be happy, without shootings, killings, or stabbings like what’s happening in Gaza now—that would be a great outcome.”
Trump Does Not Rule Out Sending U.S. Troops to Gaza
Trump also did not rule out deploying American troops to support the reconstruction of Gaza. He envisions long-term U.S. control over the redevelopment of the region.
His proposal has sparked concern among Democrats and skepticism from some of his Republican allies.
- Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) responded bluntly: “He has completely lost his mind. He wants a U.S. invasion of Gaza, which would cost thousands of American lives and set the Middle East on fire for the next 20 years? This is sickening.”
- Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Trump ally, said, “We’ll see what our Arab friends have to say about this.” However, he admitted, “I don’t think most people in South Carolina would be thrilled about sending Americans to occupy Gaza. I think that could be problematic—but I’ll keep an open mind.”
A fragile ceasefire
White House Focuses on Gaza’s Future Amid Tensions in Ceasefire Talks
The White House’s attention to the future of Gaza comes at a time when the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains precarious. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing competitive pressure from his right-wing coalition to end the temporary ceasefire and from weary Israelis who want the remaining hostages brought home and the 15-month conflict ended.
Trump may be banking on convincing Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Palestinians, as the U.S. has provided significant support to both Cairo and Amman. Members of Netanyahu’s government’s far-right wing have embraced Trump’s call to remove Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Vitkoff, stated, “In my opinion, it’s unreasonable to tell Palestinians they can return in five years. It’s absolutely absurd.” Trump also hinted at reconsidering a two-state solution as part of a broader resolution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
When asked whether he remains committed to the 2020 plan for a Palestinian state, Trump told reporters, “Well, a lot of plans change over time.” He added, “Since I left and came back, a lot of deaths have occurred.”
Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington for Trump’s second term marked a decrease in his popularity, coinciding with his ongoing corruption trial, centered on allegations of favoritism toward media moguls and wealthy allies. He has condemned the charges, claiming he is the victim of a “witch hunt.”
Trump, who remains popular in Israel, may help divert attention from the trial and boost Netanyahu’s position by being seen alongside him. Trump praised Netanyahu, saying, “We have the right leader in Israel, who has done a tremendous job.” Netanyahu commended Trump’s leadership in securing the hostage and ceasefire agreements.
Netanyahu also admired Trump’s bold approach, saying, “You say things that others are afraid to say, and when people are surprised, they scratch their heads and say, ‘You know, he’s right.'”
Hamas condemned Trump’s comments in a statement, rejecting his suggestion that the residents of Gaza have no choice but to leave. They called it a prescription for further chaos and tension in the region.
Pressure Mounts for Ceasefire and Negotiations
On Monday, Netanyahu met with Mike Waltz, the National Security Advisor at the White House, and Vitkoff to begin the difficult work of mediating the next phase of the ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu confirmed that he would send a delegation to Qatar to continue indirect talks with Hamas, mediated by the Gulf Arab nation, marking the first confirmation that the talks will continue.
Netanyahu also mentioned that upon returning to Israel by the end of the week, he would convene his security cabinet to discuss Israel’s demands for the next stage of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Vitkoff plans to meet with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Florida on Thursday to discuss the next steps in the ceasefire. Both Qatar and Egypt have acted as primary mediators with Hamas throughout the conflict.
Netanyahu faces intense pressure from his right-wing allies to abandon the ceasefire and resume fighting to eliminate Hamas in Gaza. One of his key partners, Bezalel Smotrich, has vowed to bring down the government if fighting doesn’t resume, which could lead to early elections.
Hamas, which regained control of Gaza after the ceasefire began last month, has made it clear that it will not release hostages in the next phase unless the conflict ends and Israeli forces fully withdraw.
However, Netanyahu remains committed to Israel’s victory over Hamas and the return of all hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attack, which sparked the war.
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