AI summary:

On February 4, 2025, during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump proposed that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip and permanently relocate its Palestinian residents to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. He suggested that this plan would allow Palestinians to live without the constant threat of violence and envisioned redeveloping Gaza into a prosperous area, potentially the “Riviera of the Middle East. Trump did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to support this initiative and emphasized a long-term U.S. commitment to the region.

This proposal has been met with significant opposition. Egypt, Jordan, and other U.S. allies in the Middle East have cautioned that relocating Palestinians could destabilize the region and undermine ongoing peace efforts. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to an independent Palestinian state and emphasized the need to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people without displacing them. Critics, including both Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the U.S., have expressed concerns about the feasibility and morality of the plan, with some describing it as a form of ethnic cleansing.

The proposal also faces practical challenges. Rebuilding Gaza is expected to take years and cost billions of dollars, raising questions about the logistics of relocating millions of residents and the willingness of other countries to accept them. Additionally, many Palestinians are determined to remain in their homeland despite the hardships, viewing their presence as a political statement against displacement. The plan’s potential to further complicate the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas adds to the concerns surrounding its implementation.