In a move that could dramatically alter U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump announced plans for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip and transform it into an economic hub after resettling its Palestinian population elsewhere. The announcement was made Tuesday during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” devastated by conflict and proposed an ambitious reconstruction effort under U.S. control. “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump told reporters. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.” He added that the plan would create thousands of jobs and turn Gaza into a model of economic prosperity in the region.
Trump’s proposal also included the permanent relocation of Gaza’s Palestinian residents to neighboring Arab countries. He suggested that Palestinians could be housed in “nice homes” where they would no longer face violence, claiming that they would not want to return to Gaza after relocation. Netanyahu praised Trump’s plan, describing it as “fresh thinking” and a “willingness to break from traditional approaches.”
The announcement sparked immediate controversy, raising serious legal and political questions about U.S. authority to seize control of Gaza. Critics argue that forcibly displacing Gaza’s population would violate international law and human rights norms. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned Trump’s plan as an “expulsion” and warned that it would create chaos and tension across the region.
“We consider these proposals a recipe for instability,” Abu Zuhri said. “The people of Gaza will not allow such plans to pass.”
The proposal also contradicts previous U.S. commitments under former President Joe Biden’s administration, which opposed mass displacement of Palestinians. Western allies of the United States are expected to express concern over the potential escalation of tensions if Trump’s plan moves forward.
Despite these criticisms, Trump claimed that regional leaders were supportive of the idea, although he did not provide specifics on which nations had endorsed the plan. “I’ve studied this very closely over a lot of months,” Trump said. “I see a long-term ownership position and a pathway to stability for the region.” He also indicated his intention to visit Gaza but did not offer a timeline.
The announcement coincided with Netanyahu’s visit to Washington to discuss key issues, including the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, strategies to counter Iran’s influence, and the possibility of advancing normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Trump’s plan for Gaza has the potential to reshape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it faces significant obstacles both domestically and internationally.
Trump reiterated his belief that Palestinians should permanently resettle outside Gaza, arguing that the enclave’s destruction after nearly 16 months of war made it uninhabitable. “If we could find the right piece of land and build them some nice places, that’s a lot better than going back to Gaza,” he said.
Human rights advocates have expressed alarm over the plan’s implications. Critics have compared the proposal to ethnic cleansing, warning that it could exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region. Trump, however, dismissed these concerns, emphasizing that his vision would lead to economic development and peace.
The details of how the U.S. would implement such a plan remain unclear. Trump offered no specifics on the resettlement process or the mechanics of U.S. control over Gaza. Analysts have pointed out that without clear agreements with regional stakeholders and international bodies, the proposal is unlikely to gain traction.
Political analysts suggest that the proposal is part of Trump’s broader strategy to assert U.S. dominance in Middle Eastern affairs. However, many remain skeptical about the feasibility of the plan, given the complex political, legal, and humanitarian challenges involved.
“This proposal is unprecedented in scope,” said Dr. James McGowan, a national security expert. “If implemented, it could either redefine U.S. involvement in the Middle East or trigger a diplomatic crisis.”
As of now, the plan has set off intense debate within Washington and among international observers. The coming weeks will reveal whether Trump’s bold vision for Gaza can gain the support needed to move forward or whether it will face insurmountable opposition from both allies and adversaries.
