U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans for the United States to assume control of the Gaza Strip, aiming to redevelop the area and relocate its Palestinian residents.
In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4, 2025, President Trump declared the U.S. intention to “take over the Gaza Strip” and undertake extensive redevelopment efforts. He outlined a vision to clear unexploded ordnance, demolish ruined structures, and establish economic initiatives to create jobs and housing, with the goal of transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Central to Trump’s proposal is the permanent resettlement of nearly two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt. He emphasized that Gaza’s current state is uninhabitable due to extensive war damage, and suggested that relocation would offer Palestinians a better quality of life. However, both Jordan and Egypt have previously rejected similar proposals, expressing concerns over potential long-term demographic impacts.
The announcement has elicited widespread criticism. Legal experts and human rights organizations have condemned the plan as a form of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law. Palestinian groups, including Hamas, have vehemently opposed the proposal, asserting that Palestinians will not allow such plans to proceed.
Despite the backlash, Trump suggested that U.S. military forces could be deployed to Gaza if necessary to facilitate the redevelopment process. He also indicated plans to visit Israel, Gaza, and Saudi Arabia in the near future to further discuss the initiative.
This proposal marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has sparked intense debate over its potential implications for regional stability and the rights of Palestinian residents.
