Trump Proposes U.S. Control and Economic Redevelopment of Gaza

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 — President Donald Trump unveiled a highly controversial proposal on Tuesday, suggesting that the United States assume control of the conflict-ravaged Gaza Strip and spearhead its economic redevelopment following the relocation of the Palestinian population.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump offered few specifics about how the plan would be carried out. The proposal represents a dramatic departure from decades of U.S. policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is expected to ignite intense global discussion.

Trump suggested permanently resettling Gaza’s more than two million Palestinians in neighboring nations, describing the territory as a “demolition site.” His comments come amid the fragile continuation of the initial phase of an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.

“The United States will take over the Gaza Strip, and we’re going to rebuild it,” Trump told reporters. “We’ll assume full responsibility for clearing the area of unexploded bombs and weapons, and then we’ll transform it into something extraordinary.”

At the press event, Netanyahu did not directly comment on the proposal but appeared to welcome Washington’s continued involvement in regional reconstruction efforts.

Trump Proposes U.S. Control of Gaza, Envisions It as ‘The Riviera of the Middle East’

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 — President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping proposal for a U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip, vowing to transform the devastated territory into a thriving economic hub once its Palestinian residents are relocated. The announcement builds on Trump’s earlier call to permanently resettle more than two million Palestinians in neighboring countries, describing Gaza as a “demolition site.”

“We’re going to rebuild it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and turn it into something the entire Middle East can take pride in,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He went on to describe his vision of Gaza as “The Riviera of the Middle East,” referencing the extensive destruction left by Israel’s military campaign following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks.

When pressed on who would inhabit the area after redevelopment, Trump said it could serve as a home for “people from around the world,” though he offered no explanation of how the U.S. would assume control of the densely populated coastal enclave. Stretching just 25 miles long and up to 6 miles wide, Gaza has historically been excluded from direct U.S. military involvement under previous administrations, including Trump’s own first term.

The proposal represents a sharp break from decades of U.S. and international policy, which has long envisioned Gaza as part of a future independent Palestinian state alongside the West Bank. The plan is expected to face widespread criticism from global leaders and close U.S. allies, with many questioning whether regional powers such as Saudi Arabia would support such a move.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom Trump referred to by his nickname “Bibi,” avoided commenting directly on the proposal but praised Trump’s “outside-the-box thinking.” “He’s bringing fresh ideas and a willingness to challenge conventional views,” Netanyahu said.

Trump’s remarks come as Netanyahu faces growing domestic pressure, particularly from far-right members of his coalition calling for renewed military operations to eradicate Hamas. Trump notably stopped short of urging Israel to maintain the fragile ceasefire currently in place.

Democratic lawmakers in Washington swiftly condemned the proposal, while foreign policy experts highlighted Trump’s history of making bold, headline-grabbing statements that often lack follow-through.

Meanwhile, a United Nations assessment released in January estimated that removing the more than 50 million tonnes of debris caused by Israel’s bombardment could take more than two decades and cost over $1.2 billion.

Trump Pushes for Permanent Palestinian Resettlement, Drawing Global Condemnation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his controversial approach to the Gaza crisis, calling for the permanent relocation of the enclave’s Palestinian population and suggesting a long-term U.S. military presence in the region. The proposal has sparked immediate outrage from Arab governments, human rights organizations, and international leaders.

Speaking again alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump urged Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations to accept displaced Palestinians, insisting they have “no choice” but to leave Gaza. Unlike his previous remarks hinting at temporary evacuation, Trump made clear that he envisions permanent resettlement.

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the plan as “forced expulsion from their homeland,” warning that it would “fuel chaos and instability across the region.” The Saudi government also rejected the idea, reaffirming its position that normalization with Israel would not occur without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East, cautioned that the proposal could necessitate an extended U.S. military deployment, drawing comparisons to Washington’s costly and prolonged nation-building missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The plan reflects the aspirations of Israel’s far-right political factions but runs counter to President Joe Biden’s policy, which firmly opposes the mass displacement of Palestinians. Veteran diplomat Aaron David Miller said Trump’s remarks handed Netanyahu “a free pass” while reinforcing “nearly every hardline vision of Israel’s right wing.”

Although Trump has provided no details on how such a resettlement might occur, experts warn that forcibly removing Gaza’s population would likely violate international law and provoke strong opposition from Washington’s allies in Europe and beyond.

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