President Donald Trump on Tuesday proposed a U.S.-led takeover and redevelopment of the Gaza Strip, drawing immediate condemnation from Middle Eastern nations and sparking a new crisis for American diplomacy. Standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump vowed that the United States would transform Gaza into "the Riviera of the Middle East," even if it required long-term U.S. "ownership" and the potential deployment of American troops.
The president said the approximately 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza should be permanently relocated elsewhere, describing the war-ravaged area as a "big pile of rubble." He insisted, "The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too," while offering no details about the legal or diplomatic mechanisms that would facilitate such a move. "We'll make sure that it's done world class. It'll be wonderful for the people," he added, conflating any potential U.S.-built enclave with relief for the mostly displaced Gaza population.
Trump's statement arrives as Israel and Hamas navigate a tenuous ceasefire that has temporarily halted 15 months of punishing conflict. With Netanyahu's popular standing in Israel eroding under the weight of an ongoing corruption trial and mounting calls for an end to the war, the prime minister traveled to Washington hoping to shore up support. Though Netanyahu welcomed Trump's "outside-the-box thinking," the president's announcement outraged Arab leaders who argue that forcibly relocating Gaza's residents would destabilize the region.
Key Points from Trump's Proposal:
- Calls for permanent relocation of Palestinians from Gaza.
- Proposed U.S. "ownership" of the territory with the possibility of American troops on the ground.
- A vision to transform the war-torn enclave into a luxurious development akin to a "Riviera."
Middle Eastern governments swiftly pushed back. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry emphasized the kingdom's "firm, steadfast and unwavering position" that an independent Palestinian state is essential to resolving the conflict. Jordan and Egypt, which have historically hosted large numbers of Palestinian refugees, again rejected any idea of accepting more displaced people. An official Saudi statement said, "The duty of the international community today is to work to alleviate the severe human suffering ... who will remain committed to their land."
Critics in Washington were also quick to voice concerns. "He's completely lost it," said Sen. 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?" Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), typically a staunch Trump ally, reacted to the proposal with caution: "I think most South Carolinians are probably not excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza. I think that might be problematic."
The president's remarks came just as top administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, met with Netanyahu to discuss extending the fragile ceasefire. Trump's new stance on Gaza marks a stark departure from decades of U.S. policy oriented around a two-state solution. Asked if he still supported an independent Palestinian state as outlined in a 2020 White House plan, Trump responded, "Well, a lot of plans change with time."
Netanyahu stands on politically precarious ground. Hard-right elements in his coalition want to end the truce and intensify strikes against Hamas, while a large swath of the Israeli public, exhausted by the protracted conflict, demands a peace settlement and the safe return of all remaining hostages. Netanyahu's government is also under scrutiny amid his ongoing corruption trial, which centers on accusations of exchanging favors with wealthy media figures.
Hamas, which regained operational control of Gaza since the ceasefire, called Trump's proposal "a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region." The group further stated, "We reject Trump's statements in which he said that the residents of the Gaza Strip have no choice but to leave." Beyond Hamas, analysts note that any forced displacement could violate international law and almost certainly spark widespread condemnation throughout the Arab world.
Despite the negative reactions, Trump insists the plan is viable. "If we can get a beautiful area to resettle people, permanently, in nice homes where they can be happy and not be shot and not be killed," he said, gesturing broadly as if unveiling a new commercial development. Multiple U.S. officials privately concede that carrying out this ambitious vision would require a protracted U.S. presence, extensive funding for reconstruction, and the cooperation-or capitulation-of several regional actors.
