President Donald Trump reiterated on Thursday that Israel will transfer control of Gaza to the United States once the war concludes, dismissing concerns that American troops would be required for occupation. His comments come amid mounting international condemnation of his proposal to relocate nearly two million Palestinians and redevelop Gaza into what he has described as the "Riviera of the Middle East."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting." He added that "the Palestinians ... would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region." He further claimed the U.S. would lead a global development initiative to rebuild Gaza into "one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth," but assured supporters that "no soldiers by the U.S. would be needed!"
Global Backlash Intensifies
Trump's proposal has been widely condemned by Arab states, European allies, and international organizations. Jordan rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians, with King Abdullah warning that such a move would destabilize the region. Saudi Arabia dismissed the plan outright, while Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, stated, "Gazans' land is Gaza, and Gaza must be part of the future Palestinian state."
Palestinian leaders and civilians have also voiced outrage. "We would rather die in Gaza than leave it," a Palestinian civilian told the BBC. Many have likened Trump's plan to the "Nakba" of 1948, when approximately 700,000 Palestinians were displaced during the establishment of Israel.
Israel's government, however, has signaled some level of approval. Defense Minister Israel Katz described Trump's vision as a "bold plan," advocating for Palestinians to be allowed to emigrate via land, sea, and air. Katz also suggested that European nations critical of Israel's military operations-such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway-should take in displaced Palestinians.
White House Attempts to Reframe Proposal
The White House has attempted to downplay elements of Trump's remarks following sharp criticism from within his own party. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday that Trump's plan does not include using taxpayer dollars to rebuild Gaza and that any displacement of Palestinians would be "temporary."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the plan as "generous," arguing that regional leaders must "come up with their own solutions if they don't like Trump's solution." However, the administration's attempts to contain the fallout have done little to quell concerns that the U.S. could become embroiled in another costly Middle East conflict.
Trump's proposal has also divided U.S. lawmakers. Republican Senator Rand Paul criticized the idea, writing on X, "I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers' blood."
Democratic lawmakers have also condemned the plan, warning that forced displacement would violate international law. U.K. Foreign Office Minister Anneliese Dodds stated that Britain "would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighboring Arab states against their will."
Uncertain Future for Gaza's Reconstruction
Trump's announcement comes as Gaza remains in the midst of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered in part through U.S. diplomatic efforts. Since Israel's military campaign began in response to Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack-which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage-Gaza has suffered widespread destruction. The enclave's Health Ministry reports over 47,500 people killed, with 111,000 injured and nearly 70% of buildings damaged or destroyed.
The United Nations has warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. Despite this, Trump's plan does not address the immediate humanitarian needs of Palestinians still in Gaza.
