Trump Walks Back Gaza Relocation Plan After Global Backlash \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ After facing strong opposition from U.S. allies and Republican lawmakers, the Trump administration walked back its initial proposal to permanently relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump only suggested a temporary relocation while Gaza is rebuilt. However, Trump’s original comments hinted at long-term U.S. involvement in the territory, raising concerns in the Middle East and within his own party. Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, firmly rejected the proposal, warning it could destabilize the region. Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham and other Republicans have also expressed reservations.
Trump’s Gaza Proposal and Global Backlash – Quick Looks
- Trump’s Initial Proposal: Suggested permanent resettlement of 1.8 million Gazans and hinted at U.S. troops in Gaza.
- White House Clarification: Rubio and Leavitt later insisted any relocation would be temporary during reconstruction.
- Middle East Opposition: Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia warned forced relocations would destabilize the region.
- Republican Criticism: Sen. Lindsey Graham called the idea of U.S. troops in Gaza a “non-starter” for Congress.
- Military Considerations: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the Pentagon is considering all options for rebuilding Gaza.
- Saudi Arabia’s Strong Rebuke: Declared support for Palestinian sovereignty and emphasized no further displacement.
- Diplomatic Disruptions: Biden administration’s “day after” Gaza plan may be derailed by Trump’s unexpected proposal.
Deep Look
White House Scrambles to Clarify Trump’s Gaza Stance
After facing strong international and domestic opposition, the Trump administration is walking back its proposal to permanently resettle Palestinians from Gaza. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested that Gazans be permanently relocated as part of a long-term U.S. redevelopment plan, even hinting at the possibility of American troop involvement.
However, after allies and even some Republican lawmakers pushed back, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified the administration’s stance.
According to Rubio, Trump’s vision was not about forced displacement but rather a “very generous” humanitarian effort to help Gazans while the region is rebuilt.
“In the interim, obviously people are going to have to live somewhere while you’re rebuilding it,” Rubio said during a press conference in Guatemala City.
Leavitt echoed similar sentiments in Washington, describing Gaza as “a demolition site” and stating that it would be inhumane to force people to stay in unlivable conditions.
“The president has made it clear that they need to be temporarily relocated out of Gaza,” Leavitt said.
Yet, their carefully worded clarifications still left some key questions unanswered—especially regarding whether the U.S. would deploy troops to oversee reconstruction.
Trump’s Original Comments: A Contradictory Vision
Despite these clarifications, Trump’s original Tuesday night remarks painted a different picture.
“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,” Trump said.
“I envision long-term U.S. ownership of a redevelopment of the territory,” he added.
These comments sparked immediate alarm among Arab nations and U.S. allies, who view any mass displacement of Palestinians as a violation of international law.
Middle Eastern Allies Strongly Oppose Trump’s Proposal
Saudi Arabia Issues Sharp Rejection
The Saudi Foreign Ministry delivered a pointed rebuke to Trump’s idea, reaffirming its support for a Palestinian state.
“The duty of the international community today is to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, who will not budge from their land,” the Saudi statement read.
Saudi Arabia has been in diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. regarding an Israeli recognition deal—which could be jeopardized by Trump’s latest comments.
Egypt and Jordan Warn of Regional Destabilization
Other key U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Egypt and Jordan, also rejected the idea of relocating Palestinians. They warned that such an action would:
- Expand the Israel-Gaza conflict into neighboring territories.
- Undermine the two-state solution, a decades-long U.S. policy.
- Spark regional instability, putting Arab nations at risk of domestic unrest.
Republican Lawmakers Express Concerns
Even within Trump’s own party, the proposal has faced resistance.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Calls It a “Non-Starter”
“The idea of Americans going in on the ground in Gaza is a non-starter for every senator,” Graham said Wednesday.
Instead, he suggested a more diplomatic approach, urging Arab nations to lead reconstruction efforts rather than the U.S. taking direct control.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: “All Options on the Table”
In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that the U.S. military is considering all options.
“We look forward to working with our allies both diplomatically and militarily to look at all options,” Hegseth said.
While no official troop deployment has been announced, the possibility remains open, adding to congressional concerns.
White House Won’t Rule Out U.S. Troops in Gaza
Despite walking back Trump’s initial comments, the administration has not ruled out sending U.S. forces to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction.
Leavitt stated that Trump wants to maintain leverage in negotiations and would not completely exclude military involvement.
This stance puts the White House at odds with past U.S. policy, which has long opposed direct military involvement in Gaza.
Trump’s Plan Clashes with Biden’s “Day After” Negotiations
The Biden administration had been working on a “day after” strategy for Gaza, which aimed to:
- Transfer governance to the Palestinian Authority under U.N. supervision.
- Use a multi-national peacekeeping force instead of direct U.S. control.
- Prevent further displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.
Trump’s latest remarks contradict months of diplomatic negotiations, leading to further uncertainty about U.S. strategy in the region.
The Road Ahead: Will Trump’s Policy Shift Again?
With strong opposition from Arab nations, international allies, and even some Republicans, Trump’s Gaza proposal remains uncertain.
While Rubio and Leavitt attempted damage control, Trump’s original “long-term ownership” remarks suggest ongoing debate within the administration about the U.S. role in Gaza’s future.
As diplomatic tensions escalate, the world is waiting to see whether Trump will further revise his stance—or double down.
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