Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited controversy with his latest remarks on the Gaza Strip, stating that Palestinians will not have the right to return under his proposed U.S.-led takeover plan, which he described as a "real estate development for the future." In an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, Trump declared that he would "own it," suggesting that Palestinians be permanently relocated to resettlement sites outside Gaza rather than returning to their homeland. His comments have sparked outrage among Palestinian leaders, Arab nations, and the broader international community, with critics accusing him of promoting forced displacement under the guise of economic redevelopment.
When pressed on whether displaced Palestinians would be allowed to return, Trump replied, “No, they wouldn’t,” adding that his plan involves constructing permanent housing elsewhere. “They’re going to have much better housing... I’m talking about building a permanent place for them,” he said, without specifying where these communities would be established. He framed his proposal as a humanitarian solution, arguing that displaced Palestinians would benefit from “modern, well-planned communities” rather than returning to war-ravaged Gaza. However, his remarks have only fueled fears that the plan is a thinly veiled attempt to erase Palestinian claims to their ancestral land.
Trump first outlined his vision during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he suggested that the United States should “take over the Gaza Strip,” clear the rubble, and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He claimed that a “fresh start” was needed and that a complete overhaul of Gaza was the best path forward. While he initially left open the possibility of Palestinians residing in the reimagined Gaza, his latest comments signal a more definitive shift toward forced displacement, raising concerns about the potential consequences of such a radical approach.
His proposal, which reportedly involves Egypt and Jordan taking in Palestinian refugees, has been widely rejected by both the Arab world and the international community. Egyptian and Jordanian officials have already dismissed any notion of absorbing displaced Palestinians, viewing it as an attempt to absolve Israel of its responsibilities while permanently displacing the Palestinian population. The proposal has also drawn condemnation from the United Nations, European Union, and multiple human rights organizations, which argue that Trump’s vision violates international law and disregards the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
Despite the mounting backlash, Netanyahu has welcomed the plan, describing it as "revolutionary" and "a much better vision for Israel" during a recent cabinet meeting following his return from Washington. According to reports, Netanyahu was only briefed on the details shortly before Trump publicly announced the initiative, indicating that the Israeli leader may have had limited prior input. While some members of Netanyahu’s cabinet have privately expressed reservations about the feasibility of Trump’s proposal, others within Israel’s right-wing political circles have embraced it as a means of permanently altering the demographic and political landscape of the region.
In newly released excerpts from the Fox interview, Trump expanded on his vision, reiterating that he aims to build "beautiful communities" for Gaza’s more than two million displaced residents. He suggested that there could be “five, six, maybe two” designated resettlement sites far from the conflict zone, though he did not clarify where they would be located or who would finance them. “Think of it as a real estate development for the future,” he said. “It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent.” He downplayed concerns about funding, suggesting that the cost of the plan would be minimal compared to ongoing military aid to Israel. However, critics argue that his comments reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the complexities of the crisis and the deep historical grievances of the Palestinian people.
Trump’s remarks have provoked fierce condemnation from Palestinian leaders, who view them as a blatant denial of Palestinian rights and sovereignty. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s office rejected the proposal outright, calling it an “ethnic cleansing plan” that seeks to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homeland under the guise of development. Hamas officials in Gaza denounced Trump’s comments as “an extension of Zionist colonialism,” warning that any forced displacement would be met with resistance. Palestinian activists have also taken to social media to decry Trump’s rhetoric, emphasizing that the right of return is a non-negotiable principle enshrined in international law.
International human rights organizations have also criticized Trump’s rhetoric, warning that his plan disregards decades of legal precedents affirming Palestinians’ right of return, as enshrined in UN Resolution 194. The United Nations and European Union officials have reiterated that any resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must adhere to international law, which recognizes Palestinians’ right to return to their homes. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both issued statements condemning Trump’s proposal, warning that any forced relocation of Gaza’s population would constitute a violation of human rights and could amount to a war crime under international law.
The timing of Trump’s statements further complicates the already volatile situation in Gaza, which has been devastated by Israeli military operations since October 2023. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has drawn global concern. Reports indicate that conditions in Gaza remain dire, with food shortages, medical supply depletion, and ongoing airstrikes causing widespread suffering. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has warned that any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza could lead to further destabilization across the Middle East, potentially sparking broader regional conflicts.
With Trump positioning himself as a potential Republican nominee for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, his stance on Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict could have significant geopolitical implications. His comments may bolster support among right-wing Israeli factions and evangelical Christian voters in the U.S., but they risk further alienating Arab allies and intensifying anti-American sentiment in the region. The Biden administration has so far refrained from directly commenting on Trump’s remarks, instead focusing on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in Gaza. However, Trump's statements have already influenced the political discourse in Washington, with some Republican lawmakers expressing support for his vision while Democrats and progressive groups have denounced it as reckless and inhumane.
As the controversy unfolds, Trump's proposal remains unlikely to gain traction in the international arena, but its implications for the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be ignored. If Trump were to return to the White House, his approach to Gaza could reshape U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, potentially upending decades of diplomatic efforts to achieve a two-state solution. For now, his comments serve as yet another reminder of the deep divisions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of finding a just and lasting resolution.
