President Donald Trump made a startling announcement on Tuesday, unveiling a plan for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip and lead its redevelopment. Standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference, Trump stated that the U.S. would take charge of dismantling Gaza’s war-torn infrastructure and rebuilding it into a vibrant center of economic growth.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it,” Trump stated. “We’ll own it, dismantle all the dangerous unexploded bombs, level the site, and create an economic development that will provide unlimited jobs and housing.” The president emphasized that simply rebuilding Gaza in its current state would only lead to renewed conflict. “If you go back, it’s gonna end up the same way it has for a hundred years,” he added.
The proposal, however, hinges on permanently resettling Gaza’s Palestinian population elsewhere. Trump suggested that Palestinians should relocate to other countries in the region and live in “nice homes,” away from the violence that has plagued Gaza for decades.
Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s initiative, calling it “fresh thinking” and expressing optimism about its potential impact. “We’re talking about it,” Netanyahu said. “I think it’s something that could change history, and it’s worth pursuing.” He later described his relationship with Trump as one based on mutual trust and effective collaboration.
However, the plan has sparked significant controversy. Critics and legal experts question the legitimacy of U.S. control over a sovereign territory and warn that forcibly displacing Gaza’s population could violate international law. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the proposal, calling it an “expulsion” and a recipe for regional chaos. “The people of Gaza will not allow such plans to pass,” Abu Zuhri declared.
Human rights advocates have echoed these concerns, warning that the plan could escalate tensions across the Middle East. Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians “are not gonna want to go back to Gaza” was met with skepticism, as Arab nations have consistently rejected proposals for resettling Palestinians outside their homeland.
Despite the backlash, Trump painted an optimistic picture of Gaza’s future under U.S. supervision. He envisioned the area becoming a “Riviera of the Middle East” and a symbol of economic success. “I see world people living there,” he said, indicating that Palestinians and international residents could coexist peacefully in a rebuilt Gaza.
Trump emphasized that other “rich” nations should help fund the relocation and development efforts, though he provided no specifics on financial commitments. He also did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to maintain security, stating, “We’ll do what is necessary.”
The announcement came during a pivotal meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, their first since Trump’s return to the White House for a second term. The leaders discussed various issues, including the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, countering Iran’s influence, and fostering diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations. Netanyahu praised Trump’s leadership, noting that he had brought “force and powerful leadership” to U.S.-Israel relations.
Netanyahu also addressed past conflicts with former President Joe Biden’s administration, stating that U.S. support under Biden had been vital but insufficient to prevent further violence in the region. In contrast, Trump blamed the “horrors” of recent conflicts on Biden’s policies, claiming that the 2023 massacre of Israeli civilians would not have occurred under his watch.
While Trump claimed to have consulted regional leaders who supported his plan, analysts remain skeptical about the proposal’s viability. Arab nations have repeatedly rejected the idea of permanent Palestinian resettlement outside Gaza, and many experts argue that the plan could destabilize the region further.
“This is a high-stakes move,” said Dr. James McGowan, a national security analyst. “It could redefine U.S. involvement in the Middle East or create a new wave of instability.”
National security adviser Mike Waltz emphasized the need for a realistic timeline to rebuild Gaza. “We’re talking 10 to 15 years, not five years,” Waltz explained, adding that the U.S. must work closely with Israel to manage reconstruction efforts and humanitarian needs.
For now, the proposal remains a point of heated debate both within the U.S. and internationally. Trump’s push for U.S. control over Gaza highlights his administration’s broader strategy to reshape the region’s political landscape, but it faces significant legal, political, and logistical hurdles.
