Trump Suggests U.S. Redevelopment of Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talk \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump proposed permanently resettling displaced Palestinians outside Gaza and having the U.S. take control of the territory for redevelopment. His remarks came during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where they also discussed the fragile ceasefire with Hamas and Iran’s nuclear program. Trump’s proposal has been widely rejected by Middle Eastern allies, including Egypt and Jordan.
Trump’s Proposal for Gaza Resettlement – Quick Looks
- Trump’s vision: Suggested relocating Gaza’s 1.8 million displaced Palestinians permanently.
- U.S. control over Gaza: Proposed the U.S. take ownership and redevelop it.
- “Riviera of the Middle East” plan: Envisions world-class redevelopment for future residents.
- Ceasefire discussions: Netanyahu met Trump to discuss Israel-Hamas conflict and hostage deals.
- Opposition from Arab nations: Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf states rejected forced resettlement.
- Potential U.S. military involvement: Trump didn’t rule out deploying U.S. troops to Gaza.
- Iran sanctions: Trump signed an executive order increasing economic pressure on Iran.
Deep Look: Trump Proposes Gaza Resettlement and U.S. Control Amid Ceasefire Talks
In a controversial and unprecedented proposal, President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza should be permanently relocated outside the war-torn region, with the United States taking control of Gaza’s redevelopment.
Trump’s comments came during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where they discussed the fragile ceasefire with Hamas, the hostage crisis, and regional threats, including Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump’s Proposal: U.S. Ownership of Gaza and Palestinian Relocation
Trump’s radical proposal would effectively remove Palestinians from Gaza and place the territory under U.S. control for redevelopment. He envisions turning the region into what he called the “Riviera of the Middle East,” suggesting that Palestinians could return to the redeveloped area in the future alongside other international residents.
“I don’t think people should be going back. You can’t live in Gaza right now,” Trump said. “I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy.”
Trump insisted that Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave what he described as a “big pile of rubble”, pointing to the destruction caused by over 15 months of war. He hinted that U.S. military troops could be deployed to secure the area during its transformation.
Strong Opposition from Middle Eastern Allies
Trump’s proposal has been firmly rejected by key U.S. allies in the Middle East.
- Egypt and Jordan, both of whom receive significant U.S. aid, strongly opposed the idea of taking in displaced Palestinians.
- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and the Arab League also dismissed any plans to permanently relocate Palestinians from Gaza or the occupied West Bank.
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Jordanian King Abdullah II publicly rebuked Trump’s call for forced resettlement.
Despite the widespread regional opposition, Trump expressed confidence that Egypt and Jordan would eventually agree to absorb Palestinian refugees, given their economic dependence on U.S. financial assistance.
Netanyahu’s Balancing Act: Ceasefire vs. Political Pressure
Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump comes at a crucial time for Israel, as he faces intense political and military pressure over the handling of the ongoing war in Gaza.
- Israeli hard-liners within his coalition demand the resumption of military operations to completely eliminate Hamas.
- War-weary Israeli citizens, however, are calling for a ceasefire and hostage negotiations to bring home the remaining captives.
Netanyahu confirmed that he would send an Israeli delegation to Qatar to continue indirect talks with Hamas, mediated by Egypt and Qatar. His security cabinet will also convene in Israel later this week to determine the next phase of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Hamas has reasserted its control over Gaza during the ceasefire and refuses to release additional hostages unless Israel agrees to a full withdrawal of its forces. Netanyahu, however, remains committed to achieving military victory over Hamas.
Trump’s Changing Stance on Palestinian Statehood
Trump’s remarks also hinted that he may be rethinking his stance on a two-state solution.
When asked whether he still supported his 2020 Middle East peace plan, which proposed an independent Palestinian state, Trump responded:
“Well, a lot of plans change with time. A lot of death has occurred since I left and now came back.”
This shift suggests that Trump may no longer be committed to an independent Palestinian state, particularly as Israel’s right-wing factions push for full Israeli control over Gaza and the West Bank.
Trump’s Moves Against Iran
Alongside his Gaza proposal, Trump also took a firm stance on Iran, signing an executive order aimed at increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
“We’re not going to allow them to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump declared, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to keeping Iran’s nuclear ambitions in check.
Netanyahu’s Political Challenges and Legal Woes
Netanyahu’s U.S. visit also comes as he faces growing political turmoil in Israel:
- He is currently on trial for corruption, facing allegations that he exchanged favors with media moguls and wealthy businessmen.
- His approval ratings have dropped significantly, and he is facing internal threats from his coalition partners.
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister in November, accusing them of war crimes during the conflict in Gaza.
Despite these legal and political troubles, Trump expressed strong support for Netanyahu, stating:
“We have the right leader of Israel who’s done a great job.”
Netanyahu, in return, praised Trump’s leadership in securing the ceasefire and hostage deals.
What’s Next?
As ceasefire talks continue, Trump’s bold proposal to resettle Palestinians and take U.S. control of Gaza is likely to fuel further regional tensions. The Arab world’s rejection of forced resettlement will pose a major challenge to any future negotiations.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s political survival remains uncertain as far-right factions demand renewed war efforts and Israeli citizens demand an end to hostilities.
With Qatar-mediated negotiations ongoing and pressure mounting from both the U.S. and Israel’s political landscape, the future of Gaza and its displaced Palestinian population remains highly uncertain.
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