President Donald Trump proposed that the U.S. take control of Gaza and oversee its economic development after the Palestinians are relocated to other countries, a plan that breaks with decades of U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He revealed this unexpected plan during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
Trump’s proposal followed his suggestion earlier in the day that over two million Palestinians be permanently resettled from Gaza to neighboring countries, calling the region a “demolition site” in need of rebuilding. This announcement is likely to face strong opposition both from international allies and within the U.S., as it challenges the long-standing belief that Gaza should be part of a future Palestinian state alongside the West Bank.
Trump expressed that the U.S. would be responsible for dismantling the dangerous remnants of war in Gaza and would develop the area into a thriving economic hub. He suggested that the region could become “The Riviera of the Middle East” and would create thousands of jobs, offering a vision of stability for the entire region.
However, Trump did not provide specifics on how the U.S. would assume control of Gaza, a territory that has been a flashpoint of conflict for decades. His remarks have drawn criticism, with some experts warning that this could further inflame tensions in the Middle East and potentially violate international law.
Trump also echoed his previous calls for Arab countries like Jordan and Egypt to take in displaced Gazans, though those governments have already rejected the idea. The proposal has been condemned by critics as an attempt at forced displacement, with some likening it to ethnic cleansing.
The Saudi government and many other Arab nations strongly oppose any plans to displace Palestinians and have reaffirmed their stance on the need for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
