Donald Trump Wants US Take Control Of Gaza Strip
Trump Proposes U.S. Take Over Gaza, Resettle Palestinians Elsewhere
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump has proposed that Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict in Gaza be permanently relocated outside the territory, while the United States would take control and redevelop the region into what he described as “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump’s controversial remarks, made Tuesday at a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, come as international negotiations intensify over the future of Gaza. His proposal is expected to spark fierce debate and could complicate efforts to extend the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
A Bold Vision for Gaza
Speaking at the White House, Trump outlined his idea for the war-torn region, arguing that Gaza’s current state is unsustainable. “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” he said. “We’ll make sure that it’s done world-class. It’ll be wonderful for the people—Palestinians, Palestinians mostly, we’re talking about.”
The former president suggested that the territory should be redeveloped after Palestinians are relocated elsewhere, though he did not provide details on how such a plan would be enforced or where the displaced population would go. Trump’s vision includes a U.S.-led reconstruction effort that would transform Gaza into a global tourist destination, but critics say the proposal disregards Palestinian sovereignty and international law.
International Backlash
Trump’s comments were swiftly condemned by key U.S. allies in the Middle East. Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have all warned that forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza would destabilize the region and potentially escalate the conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry responded sharply, reaffirming its long-standing call for an independent Palestinian state. “The duty of the international community today is to work to alleviate the severe human suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain committed to their land and will not budge from it,” the statement said.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II also rejected Trump’s idea, stating that any forced displacement of Palestinians would violate international norms and threaten peace efforts. Despite these objections, Trump insisted that Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave Gaza, describing the area as a “big pile of rubble.”
Political Reactions in the U.S.
Trump’s proposal has also drawn mixed reactions in Washington. Democrats reacted with alarm, while some Republicans expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such a plan.
“He’s completely lost it,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “He wants a U.S. invasion of Gaza, which would cost thousands of American lives and set the Middle East on fire for 20 years? It’s sick.”
Even some of Trump’s allies were hesitant to embrace the idea. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a staunch supporter of Trump, said, “We’ll see what our Arab friends say about that. I think most South Carolinians are probably not excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza. I think that might be problematic, but I’ll keep an open mind.”
Military Involvement Possible?
Trump also suggested that he would not rule out deploying U.S. troops to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. “We need to think long-term about ownership of this project,” he said, hinting at a sustained American presence in the region. The remarks have raised concerns that the U.S. could become further entangled in Middle Eastern conflicts.
The former president did not clarify whether his proposal would involve military intervention to enforce the resettlement of Palestinians or to secure the region. The lack of specifics has led to widespread speculation about the potential consequences of such a move.
Fragile Ceasefire and Diplomatic Struggles
Trump’s remarks come at a critical time, as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain fragile. Netanyahu is balancing competing pressures from his right-wing coalition, which wants to resume military action, and a public that is eager to see the return of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas has rejected Trump’s proposal, calling it a “recipe for chaos and tension in the region.” The militant group has reiterated that it will not release remaining hostages unless Israel agrees to a complete withdrawal from Gaza and ends its military operations.
Netanyahu’s Political Challenges
Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, his first foreign trip since Trump returned to office, comes at a time of declining domestic support. He is currently facing corruption charges in an ongoing trial, where he is accused of exchanging political favors for positive media coverage. Many analysts believe Netanyahu’s close ties to Trump could help shift attention away from his legal troubles and bolster his standing in Israel.
Trump, in turn, praised Netanyahu as the “right leader for Israel,” while the Israeli prime minister credited Trump for his unconventional approach. “You say things others refuse to say,” Netanyahu told Trump. “And after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and they say, ‘You know he’s right.’”
The Road Ahead
As discussions over Gaza’s future continue, Trump’s radical proposal adds a new layer of complexity. The plan has been widely criticized and faces significant diplomatic and logistical hurdles.
Whether Trump can persuade Middle Eastern allies to accept displaced Palestinians remains uncertain. Some analysts suggest that he may use U.S. aid as leverage to push Egypt and Jordan into compliance. However, the overwhelming opposition to forced relocation makes it unlikely that his vision will be realized without significant resistance.
As ceasefire negotiations continue, Netanyahu’s government has confirmed that talks with Hamas—mediated by Qatar and Egypt—will resume. The prime minister is expected to convene his security cabinet upon his return to Israel to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire and assess Trump’s proposals.
For now, Trump’s vision of a U.S.-controlled Gaza remains just that—a vision. But his comments have undoubtedly added fuel to an already volatile situation in the Middle East.