.jpg "Trump Netanyahu (1)")
President Donald Trump made headlines yesterday during an Oval Office meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he proposed a radical plan for taking over Gaza. He said the Palestinians had no alternative but to leave Gaza, promising that the devastated region would be entirely rebuilt under American supervision. Trump wants to transform Gaza into an economically prosperous international hub, free from war and instability.
The remarks sparked immediate backlash from Palestinian groups, who condemned his comments as provocative and an endorsement for forced displacement. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri called it a "recipe for chaos" and demanded an end to Israeli aggression. Palestinian Authority officials also condemned the remarks, asserting that any long-term solution must involve Palestinian self-determination rather than American control.
Trump, however, insisted that Palestinians would ultimately benefit from a reconstructed Gaza. He described Gaza as a “demolition site,” asking why anyone would want to stay back, given the destruction caused by Israeli bombardment. He suggested that neighbouring countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, should take in displaced Palestinians, though both nations have rejected such proposals.
Later, in a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Trump framed his move as a way to ensure long-term stability in the Middle East. He spoke about a complete overhaul of Gaza’s infrastructure, with secure housing, a thriving economy and possibly, even an international population.
While Netanyahu appeared receptive to the idea, he did not fully endorse it, emphasizing that Israel’s priority was preventing Hamas from ever regaining control.
Trump’s proposal, which would effectively place Gaza under American occupation, faces significant legal, political, logistical and diplomatic hurdles. His special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, acknowledged the enormous challenges, noting that Gaza’s infrastructure is in ruins, with no access to basic necessities like running water or electricity. Estimates suggest that rebuilding the region could take anywhere from five to fifteen years.
Trump’s proposal has already generated intense global debate. While some view it as a bold approach to regional stability, others see it as reckless and unrealistic. Whether the plan gains international traction or fades into yet another Trump-backed controversy remains to be seen.
The president, meanwhile, framed the issue as a humanitarian necessity and more like an economic opportunity, like developing a piece of New York real estate, but he effectively reignited a geopolitical powder keg with significant ramifications for the Middle East. Control of Gaza has been a key point of contention in the Arab-Israeli conflict for decades, and the concept of evicting its residents harks back to an era when Western powers redrew regional maps and displaced populations with no respect for principles of self-determination.
Moreover, the idea of the United States seizing sovereign territory in the Middle East would be a stark policy U-turn for Trump, who campaigned in 2016 for his first term promising to withdraw America from the region after the Iraq War and criticised the nation-building efforts of his predecessors. In announcing the plan, Trump cited no legal basis for his claim to the territory, nor did he acknowledge that the forced displacement of a population contravenes international law.
And, of course, Trump’s plan raises a flurry of questions: How would it unfold? What legal powers would underpin such an action? And perhaps, most crucially, who would foot the bill? What is certain, however, is that the plan will face immense legal, diplomatic and practical hurdles. As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the world will be watching closely to see whether Trump’s vision is met with support, resistance or outright rejection.
