US President Donald Trump announced a controversial plan to take control of the Gaza Strip, proposing to resettle Palestinians in other nations and transform the area into what he described as "the Riviera of the Middle East."
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister , Binyamin Netanyahu, Trump emphasized the intention to economically develop the war-torn region after relocating its current inhabitants, referring to Gaza as a "demolition site" amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
This shift in policy marks a significant departure from the longstanding US stance that Gaza would be part of a future Palestinian state alongside the occupied West Bank.
Trump asserted that the US would assume responsibility for the territory, including the removal of unexploded ordnance, and expressed confidence that this initiative would generate substantial employment opportunities and foster regional stability, claiming support from various leaders in the area.
Trump suggested that the devastated area could serve as a residence for "the world's people," envisioning it as "The Riviera of the Middle East" despite the destruction caused by Israel's military response to Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023.
He sidestepped questions regarding the legitimacy and authority of a potential U.S. occupation of Gaza, which is home to around two million residents and has a tumultuous history.
Previous U.S. administrations, including Trump's, have refrained from deploying troops in the region.
Netanyahu acknowledged Trump's innovative approach without delving into specifics, commending him for his willingness to challenge traditional perspectives.
Also , Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. intelligence officer, warned that such a plan would likely entail a prolonged military presence and could be perceived by the Arab world as a failure to learn from past nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Trump reiterated his stance that neighboring Arab nations should accept Gazans, arguing that the population must leave the war-torn area, which has suffered extensive damage over the past 16 months.
However, the forced displacement of Gaza's residents could breach international law and face strong opposition both regionally and from Western allies.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri criticized Trump's suggestions as tantamount to "expulsion from their land," asserting that such proposals would only incite further chaos and unrest, as the people of Gaza would resist any attempts to implement them.