DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that the United States should “take over” the Gaza Strip and permanently relocate its Palestinian population has faced immediate backlash from both allies and adversaries around the world.
During a press conference at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump outlined his plan to create new settlements for Palestinians outside of Gaza, also emphasizing a vision for the U.S. to assume “ownership” of the area and turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” He stated, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” while discussing plans to clear unexploded ordnance and reconstruct the territory to generate countless new job opportunities.
These comments arose during a delicate ceasefire period between Israel and Hamas, where the latter has been releasing hostages in exchange for prisoners held by Israel. Regional players such as Egypt and Jordan swiftly rejected the notion of displacing over 2 million Palestinians, with Egypt’s Foreign Ministry emphasizing the importance of rebuilding Gaza without uprooting its residents.
Saudi Arabia, another key ally of the United States, also criticized Trump’s suggestion. The kingdom reiterated its longstanding position advocating for an independent Palestinian state while firmly rejecting any violations of the Palestinian people’s rights, whether through settlement expansion or displacement.
Global responses included statements from various leaders and governments backing a two-state solution. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australia’s stance had remained consistent, reaffirming support for established peace frameworks.
Trump has previously generated controversy with proposals such as purchasing Greenland and considering the annexation of Canada, leading to uncertainty about the seriousness of his Gaza suggestion. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed concern over Trump’s remarks, advocating for a cautious approach towards the U.S. administration’s actions rather than its words.
Concerns were echoed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who condemned the idea of deportations from Gaza as unacceptable. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the United Nations to safeguard the Palestinian populace, deeming Trump’s intentions a serious breach of international law.
Hamas also criticized the president’s proposal, labeling it a “recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.” They condemned the perceived rewards given to Israel for ongoing violence and displacement instead of accountability.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, with Hamas’ recent attacks on Israel claiming around 1,200 lives, mainly civilians. The resulting Israeli military response has reportedly killed over 47,000 Palestinians, with many being women and children, amidst destruction across Gaza, displacing a significant percentage of the population.
In the United States, opposition politicians quickly denounced Trump’s idea, with Democratic Senator Chris Coons referring to it as “offensive and insane and dangerous and foolish.” He raised concerns about the global perception of the U.S. as an unreliable partner due to Trump’s extreme proposals, especially following the administration’s efforts to dismantle established humanitarian programs.
Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American, accused Trump of endorsing “ethnic cleansing” in his proposal to resettle Gaza’s entire population via social media, amplifying opposition voices amidst an increasingly contentious political climate.
