Trump Proposes US Takeover of Gaza, Fuels International Backlash

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump has ignited controversy by suggesting the United States could “take over” Gaza to facilitate its reconstruction, a move that could drastically alter U.S. policy in the Middle East. During a recent discussion with Jordan‘s King Abdullah, Trump proposed that Gaza’s current residents should be resettled elsewhere, rejecting their right of return.

This bold proposal from the former president marks a significant pivot away from longstanding U.S. diplomacy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It has been met with immediate condemnation from regional leaders, including those in Egypt and Jordan, who warn that such actions may destabilize an already fragile area.

In his remarks, Trump stated that if Gaza were handed over by Israel, the U.S. would create up to six “safe communities” for displaced Palestinians, saying, “Could be five, six, could be two. But we’ll build safe communities, a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has welcomed Trump’s plan as a “revolutionary vision” for Gaza, framing it as a potential solution to the ongoing conflict exacerbated by Hamas’s attacks on Israel in October 2023. According to Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, rebuilding Gaza could take years, prompting Trump to push for the relocation of its 2.2 million residents.

While some might see the potential in Trump’s vision for a “Riviera of the Middle East,” critics are alarmed by the implications. The notion of permanently relocating Palestinians has been condemned as a clear violation of international law. Palestinian leaders stress the deep ties many have to Gaza, with many being descendants of those who fled or were displaced during the establishment of Israel in 1948, a period called the Nakba.

In response to Trump’s comments, Jordan’s King Abdullah reiterated his country’s stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians, asserting, “Egypt and Jordan will not participate in an injustice against the Palestinians.”

Palestinian officials have similarly accused Trump of attempting to erase the Palestinian claim to Gaza. The proposal raises concerns about the future of Palestinian governance; discussions about joint administration by factions Hamas and Fatah have stalled amidst this tumult.

Despite the backlash, Trump’s administration has pressed forward, threatening to withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if they do not comply with plans to accept displaced Gazans. Such strong-arm tactics have drawn further ire from leaders in those nations, whose foreign ministers have firmly rejected the idea.

Adding complexity to the situation, recent documents reveal Hamas’s stance on the matter, as they warned that if the U.S. engages in what they characterize as an erasure of Palestinian identity in Gaza, they would have no reason to negotiate further.

As both sides continue to escalate threats regarding hostages taken during the recent conflict, the overall state of affairs in Gaza appears more precarious than ever. Netanyahu has issued an ultimatum for Hamas to release hostages by a specified deadline or face a return to military action, further complicating the fragile ceasefire.

The international community is watching closely, as the impact of Trump’s statements ripples through established diplomatic norms, raising serious questions about future peace efforts in the region.