Trump Proposes US Takeover of Gaza After Fighting Ends
JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON:
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump suggested that Israel would hand over control of the Gaza Strip to the United States once the fighting ceased and the local Palestinian population had been relocated. According to Trump, this move would eliminate the need for US military personnel on the ground in Gaza.
This announcement came just a day after global backlash against Trump’s statement about transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Following this, Israel’s government directed its army to prepare for the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from Gaza.
In further clarification on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “The Gaza Strip would be transferred to the United States after the fighting ends,” and that Palestinians would be resettled in new, safer communities with modern homes in other regions. He emphasized that “no US soldiers would be required” for this plan.
Trump’s proposal was swiftly rejected by regional powers. Saudi Arabia outright rejected the plan, while Jordan’s King Abdullah, who is set to meet with Trump at the White House next week, condemned any efforts to annex land and displace Palestinians. Egypt also expressed its opposition, confirming it would not support any initiative that involved forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza, prompting fury among Gaza’s residents.
Abdel Ghani, a father living in the ruins of his Gaza City home, responded angrily, saying, “We will not sell our land for you, real estate developer. We are hungry, homeless, and desperate but we are not collaborators. If (Trump) wants to help, let him come and rebuild for us here.”
The impact of Trump’s controversial suggestion on ongoing ceasefire talks remains uncertain. So far, only 13 out of 33 Israeli hostages slated for release in the first phase have been freed, with an additional three set to be released on Saturday. Five Thai hostages were also freed. Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Katz, of attempting to cover up Israel’s failure to achieve its objectives in Gaza, while reaffirming that Palestinians are deeply connected to their land and would not leave.
The potential displacement of Palestinians remains a highly sensitive and contentious issue in the region. Forced relocation of populations under military occupation is considered a war crime under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, though the specifics of how such a plan would be implemented remain unclear.
