Trump Says No Right of Return for Gaza Palestinians in U.S. Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump stated that Palestinians in Gaza would not have a right to return under his plan for U.S. “ownership” of the territory, contradicting previous statements from his administration. In an interview with FOX News, Trump proposed relocating Palestinians to “safe communities” elsewhere while envisioning Gaza as a future real estate development project. His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Arab nations, particularly Egypt and Jordan, ahead of his meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The administration remains divided on the plan, with officials previously describing the relocation as temporary.
Trump’s Gaza Proposal: Quick Looks
- Trump declared that Palestinians in Gaza would not have a right to return, contradicting earlier claims from his administration.
- He envisions U.S. “ownership” of Gaza, transforming it into a high-end real estate development.
- Arab nations, including Egypt and Jordan, have strongly criticized the plan, citing security and humanitarian concerns.
- Trump’s remarks come ahead of a White House meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who opposes large-scale Palestinian displacement.
- White House officials previously framed Trump’s relocation idea as temporary, but Trump’s latest comments suggest a permanent removal.
- Trump has suggested possible U.S. military involvement in securing Gaza, while insisting that no U.S. funds would be spent on its reconstruction.
Trump Says No Right of Return for Gaza Palestinians in U.S. Plan
Trump’s Gaza Plan Sparks Global Backlash
Trump’s Vision: No Return for Palestinians, U.S. “Ownership” of Gaza
In a stunning shift from previous U.S. policy, President Donald Trump has ruled out a right of return for Palestinians in Gaza, stating that they would be permanently relocated under his plan for U.S. “ownership” of the territory.
Speaking in an interview with FOX News’ Bret Baier, Trump was directly asked whether Palestinians displaced by the war could return to Gaza. His response was clear:
“No, they wouldn’t.”
This statement contradicts earlier reassurances from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who previously suggested that Trump’s plan involved only a temporary relocation while Gaza undergoes debris removal and reconstruction.
Trump’s Plan: Gaza as a Real Estate Project?
Trump described his vision for Gaza not as a war-torn humanitarian crisis, but as a future real estate opportunity:
“We’ll build safe communities, a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is. In the meantime, I would own this. Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent.”
This proposal has outraged Palestinian leaders and Arab nations, who see it as an attempt to erase Palestinian identity and land claims.
Arab Nations Push Back Ahead of Trump-Abdullah Meeting
- Jordan and Egypt have both rejected the idea of taking in large numbers of displaced Palestinians from Gaza.
- Security concerns have been raised about the impact of mass refugee movements on regional stability.
- Arab leaders fear that Trump’s plan undermines the long-held goal of a two-state solution, which envisions Gaza as part of a future Palestinian state.
Contradictions Within Trump’s Administration
Following Trump’s initial comments last week, senior officials attempted to walk back his statements, claiming that the displacement would be temporary to allow for:
- Debris removal
- Disposal of unexploded ordinance
- Reconstruction efforts
Potential U.S. Military Involvement?
Trump has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops to secure Gaza, but he has also insisted that no U.S. taxpayer money would be spent on its reconstruction.
This raises major logistical and political questions:
- How would Gaza be controlled under U.S. “ownership” without military presence?
- If Palestinians are permanently removed, where would they go?
- Would Arab nations cooperate or resist efforts to resettle displaced Palestinians?
Global Reactions and What’s Next
Trump’s statements have drawn sharp international criticism, particularly from Middle Eastern nations. His meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II will be closely watched for any diplomatic fallout.
While Trump’s administration appears divided on the plan’s details, his latest remarks suggest a major departure from decades of U.S. policy—one that could further inflame tensions in the Middle East.
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