In a highly controversial statement made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, President Donald Trump declared that the United States “will take over” the Gaza Strip. He indicated that this takeover could involve deploying US troops and suggested that the area could be transformed into “the Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling roughly 2.2 million Palestinian inhabitants elsewhere.
Trump proposed the permanent resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, framing this as a humanitarian initiative. However, this suggestion has been met with widespread criticism, being perceived by many as ethnic cleansing.
International Reaction
Key U.S. allies in the Middle East—including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—have already voiced strong opposition to the proposal. For example, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that no diplomatic ties would be established with Israel without an independent Palestinian state, underscoring its long-held stance on Palestinian self-determination.
Egypt and Jordan, have already rejected the idea of accepting displaced Palestinians.
Critics argue that Trump’s approach contradicts decades of US foreign policy aimed at achieving a two-state solution and violates international law regarding forced population displacement. Arab leaders have warned that such actions could destabilize the region further.
Implications and Future Developments
Experts warn that implementing such a plan would be logistically and politically challenging. It would likely require a massive, long-term deployment of U.S. forces—as noted by former intelligence officials—raising questions about the feasibility and cost of such an operation.
With Jordan’s King Abdullah expected to meet Trump soon in Washington, discussions over the proposal are anticipated to intensify. The plan is likely to further complicate the already fragile ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, as well as broader regional efforts to rebuild trust and work toward lasting peace.
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