In a move that has stirred intense controversy, US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that the United States could “take over” the Gaza Strip, with plans to relocate the Palestinian population to other countries. This proposal, made during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was met with strong condemnation from the Middle East and beyond, while receiving praise from far-right Israeli officials.
Trump, addressing the ongoing conflict and devastation in Gaza after 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, claimed that “Palestinians can’t live in Gaza right now” and suggested that the US could step in to manage the region, even envisioning it as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He emphasized that the idea was not made “lightly” and stated that he had received support from unnamed international leaders.
The suggestion to relocate Palestinians was immediately met with backlash. Riyad Mansour, leader of the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations, sharply rejected the proposal, insisting that Palestinians should be allowed to return to their original homes within Israel. Mansour argued, “For those who want to send Gazans to a happy ‘nice place’, let them go back to their original homes inside Israel.”
Saudi Arabia, too, expressed strong disapproval. A foreign ministry statement underscored that the kingdom would not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. “Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state, and this position is non-negotiable,” the statement read.
A joint statement from Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia further condemned any efforts to forcibly transfer Palestinians, stating that such a move would destabilize the region. China, in its turn, voiced its opposition to “forced transfer” of Palestinians from Gaza, reiterating that Palestinians should govern themselves, as per postwar governance principles.
While global leaders from Australia to the Middle East rejected the proposal, some Israeli politicians celebrated it. Far-right members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, including former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, expressed admiration for Trump’s “fresh ideas.” Ben Gvir, who resigned in protest over a ceasefire deal with Hamas, praised the suggestion on social media, signaling the potential for closer ties between Israel and the US.
In contrast, Netanyahu hailed Trump as “the greatest friend Israel has ever had” and praised his unconventional approach to solving the Gaza crisis. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also expressed his gratitude for Trump’s proposal, which he described as “even better and even better.”
Trump’s remarks have ignited a wave of debate about the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The proposed “ownership” of Gaza and the relocation of its people have raised critical questions about sovereignty, human rights, and the international community’s role in shaping peace in the region.
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