Donald Trump has declared that the U.S. would "take over" Gaza and "own it," effectively endorsing a proposal that raises serious concerns about the forced displacement of Palestinians. The announcement marks a stark shift, even by the unconventional standards of his presidency.
Trump, known for previously suggesting the U.S. acquire territories like Greenland and Panama, added Gaza to his expansionist vision, describing it as having the potential to become the "Riviera of the Middle East." When pressed, he did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to facilitate this plan.
“The only reason Palestinians want to return to Gaza is that they have no choice,” Trump stated during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. “It’s currently a demolition site—virtually every building is down.”
Trump proposed resettling Gaza’s displaced population permanently in neighboring countries, arguing that Palestinians could find “peace and harmony” elsewhere. He suggested that the U.S. would take control of Gaza, remove unexploded bombs and weapons, and develop the territory to create jobs and a thriving community.
“If necessary, we’ll do it. We’re going to take over that piece of land, develop it, and make it something the entire Middle East can be proud of,” he continued.
Trump’s proposal also called for Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations to accept Gaza’s population, emphasizing that they had no alternative but to leave the war-torn strip. He did not, however, offer specifics on how this mass resettlement would be carried out.
This proposal aligns with the agenda of Israel’s far-right factions and contradicts former President Joe Biden’s commitment to preventing the mass displacement of Palestinians. Trump claimed that regional leaders supported the idea, though he did not provide details.
“I’ve studied this closely for months,” Trump added, calling Gaza a “symbol of death and destruction.” He suggested it could be transformed into a valuable, peaceful region, even likening it to a Mediterranean resort destination.
Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal, describing it as “thinking outside the box” and potentially “changing history.”
However, the forced displacement of Gaza’s population could constitute a violation of international law and has already been met with strong criticism. Human rights advocates warn that such actions could be seen as ethnic cleansing and would face fierce opposition both in the region and among the U.S.’s Western allies.
