In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he was hosting at the White House for talks, President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled an unprecedented plan for the United States to annex the Gaza Strip, relocate Palestinians to other nations — apparently whether they wanted to leave or not — and transform the region into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” Trump surprised everyone with the shocking proposal.
Trump claimed that he would make the war-torn enclave “unbelievable” by clearing away unexploded bombs and debris and economically revitalising Gaza, but his plan was vague on how he would relocate more than two million Palestinians or govern the territory.
“The United States will occupy the Gaza Strip, and we will also work there.” We’ll be the owners,” Trump declared.
He claimed that the “highest leadership” in the Middle East supported the plan and increased pressure on Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Gazans, even though the Palestinians and both nations categorically rejected the unexpected proposal.
Trump said his plan for Gaza will turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” suggesting “long-term ownership” by the United States. This has the potential to be something truly amazing.
Netanyahu, a significant US ally, stated that Trump’s plan was worth “paying attention to” and had the potential to “change history.”
Netanyahu was making the first visit of a foreign leader to the White House since Trump’s return to power, for what were billed as talks on securing a second phase of the Israel-Hamas truce after an initial six-week ceasefire.
‘Miserable existence’
But it quickly turned into the shock revelation of a plan that would completely transform the face of the Middle East.
Trump, who also floated traveling to Gaza, appeared to suggest it would not be rebuilt for Palestinians.
“The same people who have… lived there, died there, and lived a miserable existence there should not rebuild it and occupy it,” he said.
Prior to Trump’s request that the United States annex the region, the Palestinian representative to the UN had vehemently objected to Trump’s previous Tuesday suggestions for the resettlement of his people.
Riyad Mansour declared, “Our homeland is our homeland.”
“And I believe that people and leaders should honour the Palestinian people’s wishes.”
Trump’s resettlement proposal has also drawn criticism from Gazans. Hatem Azzam, 34, of the southern city of Rafah, stated, “Trump believes Gaza is a heap of trash—absolutely not.”
Trump intimated that US troops would be needed in one of the world’s most unstable locations “if necessary,” but he was evasive about the specifics of his takeover strategy.
The former real estate magnate has already discussed the Palestinian territory’s real estate market, stating in October that it would be “better than Monaco.”
Netanyahu complimented Trump’s “willingness to think outside the box” and described him as Israel’s “greatest friend” while standing next to him at a platform.
Although the two had previously had a contentious relationship, Netanyahu has taken advantage of the Republican’s comeback to power after his relationship with former President Joe Biden deteriorated due to the number of deaths in Gaza since
“Winning the war”
The Israeli commander did not rule out a resumption of fighting with Hamas or its other regional enemies, such as Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Netanyahu vowed to guarantee the return of all hostages held by Hamas and stressed that “we will end the war by winning the war.”
He did express confidence that a normalisation agreement with Saudi Arabia, a regional adversary, was “going to happen.”
However, Saudi Arabia stated that it would not formally establish ties with Israel until a Palestinian state was established following Trump’s announcement of his proposal.
However, Palestinians and other Middle Eastern nations are expected to fiercely oppose Trump’s ambitious proposal for Gaza.
Trump’s proposal to move ceasefire mediator Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan have all categorically rejected it.
When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, it took 251 prisoners into Gaza; 76 of them are still being held in the Palestinian territory, including 34 that the Israeli military claims are killed. This marked the start of the conflict.
According to an AFP count based on official Israeli data, 1,210 Israelis were killed in Hamas’s attack, the most of them civilians.
According to the health ministry of the Hamas-run region, Israel’s military reaction has killed at least 47,518 individuals in Gaza, the bulk of whom were civilians. These numbers are regarded as trustworthy by the UN.
Food, fuel, medical supplies, and other relief have flooded into Gaza as a result of the ceasefire that went into force on January 18. It has also made it possible for those who have been displaced by the conflict to return to the northern part of the Palestinian enclave.
However, Israel has initiated a lethal campaign against militants in the northern part of the occupied West Bank since the Gaza ceasefire went into force.
