Former US President Donald Trump has once again reiterated his plan to "take control" of Gaza. Just a short while ago, he wrote on Truth Social: "As a result of this war, Israel will hand over the Gaza Strip to the United States. The Palestinians, along with people like Chuck Schumer, will have already settled in much safer and more beautiful communities." Trump further stated: "They will be able to live happily, safely, and freely. The United States, working with the world’s greatest development teams, will gradually and carefully begin constructing one of the most significant and remarkable developments of its kind on Earth. No military presence will be needed. Stability will prevail in the region. "It is worth noting that Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, is the Senate Minority Leader in the United States. Last week, in a speech, he called Trump "reckless and disrespectful of the law."
Former US President Donald Trump’s plan to "take control" of Gaza, claim ownership of it, and relocate its people is unlikely to be implemented. This is because he would need the support of Arab countries, which have already opposed the idea. Among these countries are Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Trump envisions Egypt and Jordan providing space for the resettlement of displaced individuals, while he likely expects Saudi Arabia to bear the financial burden of the entire process. The United States' and Israel’s Western allies also appear to oppose this proposal. Many Palestinians in Gaza might find the opportunity to leave quite appealing and may even take advantage of it. However, even if one million Palestinians were to leave, around 1.2 million people would remain. For the U.S. to forcibly remove these remaining individuals, it would have to use force, an action that would be highly unpopular—especially considering the disastrous consequences of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
This plan would be the final nail in the coffin for any prospect of a two-state solution, which has long been seen as the only viable way to resolve this century-old conflict by establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The Netanyahu government strongly opposes this proposal. After years of failed negotiations, the idea of two nations, two states has effectively become nothing more than a slogan. Yet, since the 1990s, the two-state solution has been a core element of U.S. foreign policy. Trump’s plan would also constitute a blatant violation of international law. It would undermine whatever remains of the U.S. claim that it upholds a rules-based international order. Additionally, it would embolden Russia and China in their territorial ambitions in Ukraine and Taiwan, further destabilizing global geopolitics.
Why worry about something that isn't going to happen, or at least not in the way Donald Trump is suggesting, which has even pleased Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? The answer is that, no matter how strange Trump’s statements may seem, they will have consequences. Trump is no longer just a reality TV host making headlines with bold political statements. He is the President of the world’s most powerful country, making him one of the most influential figures on the planet. In the short term, his remarks could negatively impact the already fragile ceasefire agreement. According to a senior Arab source, Trump’s statements could be the final blow to the ceasefire negotiations. One major flaw in the agreement is that it does not clarify how Gaza will be governed in the future. Now, Trump has put forth his plan. Even if his proposal never materializes, it will still raise serious questions in the minds of both Israelis and Palestinians. This will embolden Jewish nationalist extremists who believe that the land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River was divinely granted to the Jewish people. Their leaders are part of Netanyahu’s government, which relies on their support to stay in power. They are thrilled by Trump’s announcement because they want the war in Gaza to continue, hoping that Palestinians will be expelled and replaced with Jewish settlers. Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that Trump has provided the answer for Gaza’s future following the October 7 attacks. He said: "Those who committed the worst massacre on our land will lose their land forever. Now, with God's help, we are finally going to bury the dangerous idea of a Palestinian state for good." Israel’s opposition leaders have been more cautious in expressing their approval, perhaps fearing the challenges ahead, but they have still welcomed the plan in a more restrained manner. Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups may feel that Trump’s statement warrants a show of force against Israel in response.
For Palestinians, the conflict with Israel is deeply tied to the memory of the Nakba, a term meaning "catastrophe." The Nakba refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948 following the creation of the state of Israel. Over 700,000 Palestinians were either forced to flee their homes or were forcibly expelled by Israeli armed forces. Only a few were ever allowed to return, and Israel has enacted laws that continue to be used to confiscate Palestinian properties to this day. Now, there is growing concern that history may repeat itself. Many Palestinians believe that Israel is using the war against Hamas as a pretext to destroy Gaza and expel its Palestinian population. They accuse Israel of committing genocide and now fear that Donald Trump is openly endorsing Israel’s plans.
Just because Donald Trump said it doesn’t mean it’s true. His statements resemble real estate negotiation tactics more than a coherent U.S. foreign policy strategy. Perhaps Trump is spreading confusion to pursue an entirely different agenda. It is widely believed that he has a strong desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize. There is precedent for leaders attempting to bring peace to the Middle East receiving the Nobel Prize, regardless of whether their plans succeed. While the world was still digesting Trump’s statements, he posted another message on his Truth Social platform expressing his desire for a "legitimate nuclear peace deal" with Iran. Iran has long insisted that it does not seek nuclear weapons. However, in Tehran, there is now growing debate over whether the situation has deteriorated to the point where nuclear weapons may be necessary for Iran’s security. For years, Netanyahu has wanted the U.S. to help Israel destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities. During Trump’s first presidency, Netanyahu successfully convinced the U.S. to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. If Trump’s goal was to appease Israeli extremists in exchange for negotiating with Iran on nuclear issues, then he has succeeded. However, his actions have further destabilized the Middle East, creating more uncertainty and tension in the region.
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