US President Donald Trump has sparked international controversy with his recent proposal to take over Gaza, describing it as a “demolition site” that needs to be rebuilt under American leadership. His remarks, made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have drawn widespread criticism and raised serious geopolitical concerns.
Trump’s Vision for Gaza
During the press conference, Trump outlined his plan, stating, “The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings.” He further added that the plan would create economic opportunities and housing for Palestinians in the region.
While his administration has historically supported a two-state solution, Trump refused to clarify whether his plan aligned with this approach, saying, “It doesn’t mean anything about a two-state or one-state solution. We want to give people a chance at life … because the Gaza Strip has been a hell hole for people living there.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Supports Trump’s Gaza Takeover Plan
Following Trump’s remarks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration’s stance, advocating for the removal of Hamas from Gaza. “Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again,” Rubio wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
However, neither Trump nor Rubio provided specific details on how the proposed plan would be executed, leaving many questions unanswered about the future of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
Palestinians and Arab Leaders Reject Trump’s Proposal
The proposal has been met with sharp rejection from Palestinian leaders and the broader Arab world. Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians should be permanently relocated to Egypt and Jordan was swiftly condemned as a form of ethnic cleansing.
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In a joint statement, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League dismissed the plan, warning that it could “threaten the region’s stability, risk expanding the conflict, and undermine prospects for peace and coexistence among its peoples.”
Could the US Legally Execute Trump’s Plan?
Under international law, forcibly transferring a population is strictly prohibited, except under specific conditions such as security risks or military necessity. Human rights advocates argue that Trump’s plan would violate the Geneva Conventions by forcibly displacing Gaza’s population.
Moreover, a US military intervention in Gaza would be unprecedented, raising concerns about regional escalation and further instability. When asked if the US would send troops to enforce the plan, Trump responded, “We’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that.”
Current Situation in Gaza
The Israeli assault on Gaza, which has lasted over 16 months, has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The conflict has left the enclave in ruins, internally displacing nearly its entire population and triggering a humanitarian crisis. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people, remains one of the most devastating conflicts in the region’s history.
While a fragile ceasefire remains in place, Trump’s proposal to take over and rebuild Gaza under US control has only deepened divisions, drawing criticism from world leaders and human rights organizations alike. As diplomatic tensions continue to rise, the feasibility and legality of Trump’s plan remain uncertain.