In a startling announcement on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would “take over” the Gaza Strip, proposing a radical plan to redevelop the war-torn Palestinian territory.
Trump’s Controversial Proposal
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump outlined his vision for Gaza:
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out”.
The president went on to describe his plans for transforming Gaza into an economic powerhouse, promising to “create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area”.
“I don’t want to be cute. I don’t want to be a wise guy, but—the Riviera of the Middle East. This could be so magnificent,” Trump said.
Relocation of Palestinians
Perhaps most controversially, Trump suggested that the approximately 2 million Palestinians currently residing in Gaza should be relocated to other countries in the region, such as Egypt and Jordan. He argued that Gaza has become “a symbol of death and destruction” and that its inhabitants would be better off elsewhere.
International Reactions
Trump’s proposal has been met with shock and criticism from various quarters. Hamas, which has governed Gaza for most of the past two decades, swiftly rejected the mass relocation proposal. Egypt and Jordan have also expressed unwillingness to accept a large influx of Palestinians, citing concerns about regional stability.
Recent Conflict
Trump’s announcement comes in the wake of a devastating war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, 2023, and resulted in a ceasefire on January 19, 2025. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas killed 1,200 civilians. Since then, Israel claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives and left much of Gaza in ruins.
Feasibility and Legal Concerns
Trump’s proposal raises significant legal and practical questions. The forcible relocation of a population is prohibited under international law. Moreover, the logistics of such a massive undertaking, as well as the geopolitical implications of U.S. control over Gaza, remain unclear.
