Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal sparks global backlash

WASHINGTON/CAIRO. The Trump administration faced intense international criticism following President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza and initiate a U.S.-led reconstruction of the war-ravaged enclave. While his top aides defended the plan, they also softened some elements in response to widespread condemnation.

Trump, a former New York property mogul, triggered sharp rebukes from world powers, including Russia, China, and Germany, with German officials warning that the plan would cause “new suffering and new hatred.” Saudi Arabia outright rejected the proposal.

In a White House statement on Tuesday, Trump outlined his vision of turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” emphasizing international cooperation in rebuilding the territory after 16 months of Israeli bombardment that has left over 47,000 Palestinians dead, according to local authorities.

White House Clarifies Stance

At a briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the plan as “historic, outside-of-the-box thinking.” However, she clarified that the U.S. was not committing to deploying “boots on the ground” in Gaza but refused to rule out potential military involvement.

Additionally, Leavitt walked back Trump’s initial suggestion of permanently resettling Gazans in neighboring countries, stating that any relocations would be “temporary” for reconstruction purposes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, saying the intention was for Gazans to leave the territory only for an “interim” period to facilitate rebuilding efforts.

Despite the adjustments, many critics questioned whether Trump was serious about the proposal or merely using it as a bargaining tool. His first term saw a pattern of extreme foreign policy pronouncements, many of which were never implemented.

Global and Domestic Opposition

Trump’s son-in-law and former adviser, Jared Kushner, previously described Gaza as valuable waterfront property, an idea Trump reiterated on Tuesday while advocating for the permanent resettlement of over two million Palestinians.

Critics argue that the proposal could violate international law and human rights, with some describing it as “ethnic cleansing.”

“Everybody loves it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, though polling data suggests that most Americans oppose further military entanglements in conflict zones after long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Reactions from lawmakers varied. Democratic legislators denounced the plan, while some Republicans voiced skepticism. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) posted on X (formerly Twitter), “I thought we voted for America first. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers’ blood.”

During a visit to Guatemala, Secretary Rubio framed the proposal as a “generous” move demonstrating “the willingness of the United States to become responsible for the reconstruction of that area.” In contrast, Leavitt stated that U.S. taxpayers would not fund the rebuilding, claiming Trump would strike deals with regional partners.

Middle East Reaction and Palestinian Resistance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday, did not directly address Trump’s proposal but praised the president for considering new approaches. Jordan’s King Abdullah, set to meet with Trump next week, rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians.

Egypt, which brokered a ceasefire on January 19, signaled support for Gaza’s reconstruction but insisted that Palestinians must not be forced to leave the territory.

In Gaza, residents expressed outrage. “Trump can go to hell, with his ideas, with his money, and with his beliefs. We are going nowhere. We are not some of his assets,” said Samir Abu Basel, a father of five displaced by the war.

U.S. Military Considerations and International Law

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the Pentagon was exploring “all options” regarding Gaza, leading analysts to speculate that any implementation of Trump’s plan would require a significant U.S. military presence in the region.

Hamas, which governed Gaza before the conflict, dismissed Trump’s proposal as “ridiculous and absurd.” Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri warned, “Any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region.” The group remains committed to its ceasefire agreement with Israel but continues to negotiate terms for the next phase of the truce.

Trump’s proposal also raises questions about Saudi Arabia’s willingness to engage in U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to normalize relations with Israel. The kingdom’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to Palestinian statehood and rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians.

Israeli far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir supported Trump’s suggestion, urging Netanyahu to adopt a policy of encouraging Palestinian emigration from Gaza “immediately.”

Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned against reckless proposals at a United Nations committee meeting: “In the search for solutions, we must not make the problem worse. It is vital to stay true to the bedrock of international law. It is essential to avoid any form of ‘ethnic cleansing.’”

As Trump’s proposal continues to face scrutiny, its feasibility remains uncertain, and its potential geopolitical consequences could reshape U.S. involvement in the Middle East for years to come.