President Donald Trump‘s proposal for the United States to assume control of war-torn Gaza and transform it into a “Riviera of the Middle East,” following the relocation of Palestinians, has significantly disrupted U.S. policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has drawn extensive criticism.
This unexpected initiative from Trump, a former real estate mogul from New York, faced immediate backlash from global powers. Notably, Saudi Arabia, a key regional player that Trump hopes will normalize relations with Israel, outright rejected the plan.
Turkey labeled the proposal as “unacceptable,” while France warned that it could lead to further destabilization in the Middle East. Nations including Russia, China, Germany, Spain, Ireland, and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution, which has been the cornerstone of U.S. policy in the region for many years, asserting that Gaza should be part of a future Palestinian state alongside the occupied West Bank.
In his inaugural significant policy announcement regarding the Middle East, Trump articulated his vision of creating a resort where diverse communities could coexist peacefully, following over 15 months of Israeli airstrikes that have devastated the small coastal territory and resulted in more than 47,000 fatalities, according to Palestinian sources.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former advisor, previously referred to Gaza as “valuable” waterfront property. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump expressed his support for efforts to permanently relocate Palestinians from Gaza to areas where they could live free from violence, indicating that discussions had been held with Jordan, Egypt, and other neighboring countries.
In a press conference, Trump asserted that despite their initial rejections, he believed that Jordan’s King Abdullah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would eventually embrace the idea, claiming they would “open their hearts and provide the necessary land to facilitate this initiative, allowing people to live in harmony and peace.”
The informal proposal sent diplomatic ripples throughout the Middle East and beyond. China expressed its opposition to the forced relocation of Palestinians.
“China has consistently maintained that the governance of Palestine by Palestinians is a fundamental principle of post-conflict governance,” stated Lin Jian, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, emphasizing Beijing’s support for a two-state solution in the area.
France delivered some of the most pointed criticism, asserting that the forced displacement of Gazans would constitute a grave breach of international law, undermine the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and lead to regional instability.
A representative from Hamas, the militant group that previously governed the Gaza Strip before engaging in a violent conflict with Israel, described Trump’s remarks regarding the takeover of the enclave as “ridiculous and absurd.”
“Proposals of this nature have the potential to ignite tensions in the region,” Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters, reaffirming Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement with Israel and the importance of successful negotiations in the next phase.
It remains uncertain if Trump will pursue his contentious proposal or if he is merely adopting an extreme stance as part of a negotiation tactic. He did not provide any details during the news conference.
PERMANENT DISPLACEMENT
The Kremlin stated on Wednesday that Russia believes a resolution in the Middle East can only be achieved through a two-state solution. Meanwhile, Spain’s Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, emphasized that “Gaza is the land of Gazan Palestinians, and they must remain in Gaza.”
On Tuesday, Trump suggested the permanent relocation of over two million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, a process that the U.N. estimates could take as long as 21 years to complete. A U.N. damage assessment released in January indicated that more than 50 million tonnes of rubble remain in Gaza.
Trump’s proposal raises concerns about whether Saudi Arabia, a significant power in the Middle East, would be inclined to participate in a renewed U.S.-led effort to normalize relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia, a crucial U.S. ally, has stated that it will not establish relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, countering Trump’s assertion that Riyadh does not require a Palestinian homeland. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated the kingdom’s stance in “a clear and explicit manner” that leaves no room for misinterpretation under any circumstances.
Trump is encouraging Saudi Arabia to emulate the United Arab Emirates, a key trade and business center in the Middle East, as well as Bahrain, which established normalized relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords in 2020. This marked a significant shift, as these nations became the first Arab countries in 25 years to break a long-standing taboo.
Trump has expressed intentions to visit Gaza, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, although he has not specified a timeline for these visits. Michael Milshtein, a former intelligence officer and a prominent expert on Hamas, indicated that Trump’s remarks could lead to increased tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
He suggested that Trump might be attempting to exert pressure on Arab states to avoid hindering efforts toward normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Netanyahu refrained from elaborating on the proposal but commended Trump for his innovative approach.
PALESTINIANS FEAR ANOTHER ‘NAKBA’
Displacement remains a deeply sensitive topic for both Palestinians and neighboring Arab nations. Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, there is a growing concern among Palestinians about the possibility of experiencing another “Nakba,” a term that signifies the mass dispossession of hundreds of thousands during the 1948 war that led to the establishment of Israel.
“Trump can go to hell, along with his ideas, his wealth, and his beliefs. We are not going anywhere. We are not his assets,” stated Samir Abu Basil, a 40-year-old father of five from Gaza City, in a message to Reuters via a chat application.
“If he truly wants to resolve this conflict, he should consider relocating the Israelis to one of the neighboring states. They are the outsiders here, not the Palestinians. We are the rightful owners of this land.”
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