Washington, D.C. — February 5, 2025
President Donald Trump’s stunning proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and redevelop the war-torn territory as a tourist destination has ignited widespread international condemnation, with critics calling it an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
Speaking in the East Room of the White House on February 4, Trump suggested that the United States “take over” Gaza and oversee its reconstruction, while urging neighboring Arab nations to accept displaced Palestinians.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings.”
He further suggested that wealthy Gulf nations could fund the resettlement of Palestinians, but his remarks drew swift rebukes from Palestinian leaders, Arab states, and international human rights organizations.
Palestinians Reject U.S. Intervention
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas vehemently rejected Trump’s proposal, denouncing it as an attempt to erase Palestinian national identity.
“We strongly reject calls to seize the Gaza Strip and displace Palestinians outside their homeland,” said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, per AFP. “Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, and legitimate Palestinian rights are not negotiable.”
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, responded sarcastically to Trump’s suggestion of relocating Palestinians to “a happy, nice place.”
“If that is the goal, then let the Palestinians return to their ancestral homes in Israel,” Mansour stated.
On the ground in Gaza, residents vowed to stay. Rewaa Mohsen, a nurse in central Gaza, told the BBC:
“The Israeli army killed us, but we remain in our destroyed houses. We don’t need life outside our land, and we will not move one meter away from it.”
Arab Nations Firmly Oppose Resettlement
Trump’s proposal also met fierce resistance from key U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—all of which have categorically rejected any forced transfer of Palestinians.
- Saudi Arabia issued a rare overnight statement dismissing the idea, reiterating that it will not normalize ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is established.
- Egypt and Jordan, which host large Palestinian refugee populations, warned that a mass influx of displaced Palestinians could destabilize the region.
- Qatar and the UAE joined in rejecting the proposal, further isolating Trump’s plan on the diplomatic stage.
Trump’s Proposal Threatens Fragile Ceasefire
The timing of Trump’s remarks is particularly sensitive, as negotiations continue over the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was brokered following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Trump has previously taken credit for the ongoing truce, but his latest proposal risks derailing hostage negotiations and further escalating tensions.
Israeli Leaders React
While Trump’s proposal shocked much of the international community, Israeli leaders did not immediately dismiss it.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared open to the idea, acknowledging that “jaws drop” when Trump makes bold proposals, but adding that “people scratch their heads and say, ‘You know, he’s right.’”
- Benny Gantz, a centrist politician and former general, called Trump’s idea “creative, original, and intriguing.”
- Far-right Israeli politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who supports “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians, enthusiastically welcomed the plan.
However, opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that discussing such a controversial proposal could further delay the return of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Geopolitical Consequences and Trump’s Strategy
Some analysts believe Trump’s proposal may be an opening gambit in a larger negotiation strategy.
During his first term, Trump initially supported Israel’s annexation of parts of the West Bank but later dropped the idea in favor of normalization deals between Israel and Arab nations. Some speculate that his latest proposal may be a bargaining tactic aimed at securing Arab concessions on Gaza’s reconstruction or future peace talks.
Trump is set to meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House next week, which could offer further clarity on whether the administration intends to press ahead with the controversial plan or adjust its approach in response to backlash.
What Comes Next?
With near-unanimous international opposition, growing domestic criticism, and the fragile ceasefire in jeopardy, Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal appears to face insurmountable obstacles. However, his ability to pressure allies through economic incentives and diplomatic maneuvering means that further developments remain possible.
