Palestinians and Arab states reject Trump's Gaza takeover proposal

The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has strongly rejected former President Donald Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and permanently resettle its 2.1 million residents. Abbas emphasized that Gaza is a vital part of the Palestinian state and that any forced displacement would violate international law. Hamas also condemned the plan, stating it would escalate tensions in the region. Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, opposed the proposal, insisting that normalization with Israel would not happen without the establishment of a Palestinian state. Egypt, which had earlier rejected Trump's suggestion to relocate Gaza's residents to Egypt or Jordan, reiterated the need for reconstruction efforts in Gaza without forcibly relocating the Palestinian population.

This opposition comes after a fragile ceasefire began two weeks ago, during which Hamas released several Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The ongoing violence has resulted in significant loss of life, with over 47,500 Palestinians killed and more than 111,600 injured since October 7, 2023. Gaza's infrastructure has been severely damaged, with most buildings destroyed, and vital systems for healthcare, water, and sanitation collapsed. Severe shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and shelter persist.

President Trump's first major remarks on Middle East policy marked a drastic shift in U.S. approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, challenging long-established thinking. Speaking at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump unveiled a controversial proposal.

"The U.S. will take control of the Gaza Strip and we’ll handle it," Trump declared. He explained that the U.S. would oversee the dismantling of unexploded bombs and other weapons, level the area, and clear away the destroyed buildings. Trump also suggested that approximately 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza would need to be relocated to create his vision of "the Riviera of the Middle East," with plans to resettle them in Jordan, Egypt, and other countries.

When questioned about the possibility of these refugees returning to Gaza, Trump responded that "the world's people" would live in Gaza, including Palestinians. He dismissed concerns raised by Jordan and Egypt’s leaders about taking in refugees, asserting that they would eventually “open their hearts” and provide the land necessary to execute the plan.

Netanyahu supported the proposal, stating it could "change history" and that it was worth considering, claiming it could reshape the Middle East and bring peace. An unnamed senior Israeli official praised Trump's ideas as exceeding all expectations and dreams.

However, Trump's plan would likely face strong opposition, as it conflicts with international law and longstanding norms concerning the rights of Palestinians and sovereignty over Gaza.

The Palestinian leadership, along with Arab states, has strongly rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal to have the U.S. take control of the Gaza Strip and resettle its 2.1 million residents. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the plan, stressing that Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, and warned that forced displacement would be a violation of international law. He further emphasized that peace and stability in the region could only be achieved with the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Hamas also denounced the proposal, stating it would worsen regional tensions. In Gaza, many Palestinians expressed their refusal to leave, with one resident stating they would rather die there than accept resettlement. This sentiment echoes fears of a repeat of the 1948 "Nakba," when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced during the creation of Israel.

Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, rejected the idea, reiterating that a Palestinian state must be established before any normalization of relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia, in particular, stressed that peace is impossible without addressing Palestinian rights. Turkish officials also called the plan "unacceptable."

International governments, including France and the UK, expressed concern, warning that such forced displacement would violate international law, undermine the two-state solution, and destabilize the region further.