Trump announced the US plan to take over Gaza Strip, resettle Palestinians, and transform the war-torn region into a thriving economic hub, referred to as “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump explained that the U.S. would oversee the redevelopment of Gaza following the resettlement of its Palestinian population.
The announcement follows Trump’s earlier proposal to permanently resettle Palestinians from Gaza, labeling the enclave as a “demolition site” due to the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the U.S. to take over Gaza, dismantle dangerous unexploded bombs and weapons, and develop it into a prosperous region,” Trump said.
He emphasized that the U.S. would assume full responsibility for Gaza’s economic growth, aiming to create thousands of jobs and bring stability to the region.
Trump also hinted that Gaza could become a home for “the world’s people,” stressing its potential for transformation despite the ongoing devastation.
However, his proposal raised questions about the legal and practical aspects of U.S. intervention in Gaza, especially considering its complex history and its status as home to nearly two million Palestinians.
The U.S. involvement in Gaza would mark a dramatic shift in U.S. policy, contradicting longstanding American positions that the territory would be part of a future Palestinian state alongside the West Bank.
Netanyahu, while hesitant to engage deeply in the specifics of Trump’s plan, praised the U.S. president’s willingness to think outside traditional frameworks.
“He’s showing a willingness to puncture conventional thinking,” Netanyahu said.
Former U.S. national intelligence officer Jonathan Panikoff warned that the proposal would likely result in a prolonged U.S. military commitment, reminiscent of nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also noted that the Arab world would likely view the plan negatively, as it could deepen tensions in the region.
Trump further called on countries like Jordan and Egypt to accept Palestinians displaced from Gaza, suggesting that these nations must take in the population as the region undergoes reconstruction.
However, forced displacement of Gaza’s residents would likely breach international law and could face significant resistance from both regional stakeholders and Western allies.
Hamas officials condemned Trump’s plan, with senior leader Sami Abu Zuhri calling it an “expulsion from their land.”
He warned that such proposals would only fuel further instability in the region.
The Saudi government also condemned the idea of displacing Palestinians, affirming its position that it would not normalize relations with Israel until a Palestinian state is established