Trump’s Gaza Takeover Plan Sparks Global Outrage

Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a controversial plan that would see Palestinians permanently displaced from Gaza, with no right of return, under a proposed American-led redevelopment of the war-torn territory. The plan, which Trump described as a “real estate development for the future,” has drawn widespread condemnation from the Arab world and beyond.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier, Trump stated, “I would own it,” referring to Gaza, and suggested that displaced Palestinians could be relocated to as many as six different sites outside the enclave. The proposal, which has yet to be formally detailed, has been met with fierce opposition from Palestinian leaders, neighboring Arab nations, and international human rights organizations.

A Controversial Vision

Trump first introduced the concept during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing his vision to clear the rubble left by Israel’s military operations and transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” However, in subsequent remarks, he clarified that Palestinians would not be among those allowed to return, instead proposing the construction of “beautiful communities” elsewhere.

“No, they wouldn’t [return], because they’re going to have much better housing,” Trump told Baier, justifying the exclusion of Palestinians from their homeland by pointing to the extensive destruction of the enclave.

His statements have added fuel to the ongoing diplomatic firestorm surrounding the conflict, with critics arguing that the plan amounts to forced displacement and a violation of international law.

International Backlash

The announcement has been met with staunch opposition. Palestinian officials have denounced the plan as an attempt at ethnic cleansing. The Palestinian Authority issued a statement rejecting what it called a “blatant violation of Palestinian sovereignty and human rights.”

Arab leaders, including those from Egypt and Jordan—whom Trump has suggested should absorb the displaced population—have also condemned the proposal. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry dismissed it as “completely unacceptable,” while Jordan’s King Abdullah II called it a “dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability.”

European leaders have similarly expressed outrage, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeling the plan a “scandal” and warning that forced relocation of Palestinians would contravene international law.

Potential Consequences

Trump’s proposal comes amid a fragile six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has already faced multiple challenges. Analysts fear that the U.S. president’s remarks could destabilize ongoing diplomatic efforts and reignite tensions in the region.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has welcomed the proposal, calling it a “revolutionary” approach that benefits Israel’s security interests. His administration has long advocated for measures that limit Palestinian sovereignty in Gaza, and Trump’s plan appears to align with those objectives.

The Path Ahead

Despite Trump’s insistence that his administration could “make a deal” with Jordan and Egypt, experts remain skeptical. “This proposal is not only politically unfeasible but also a blatant disregard for international law,” said Middle East analyst Dr. Nadim Houry. “Forcibly removing an entire population from its homeland and treating Gaza as a real estate project is deeply concerning.”

While Trump has previously described Gaza as being “like Monaco,” and his son-in-law Jared Kushner once suggested clearing the territory for valuable waterfront property, this latest proposal has ignited fears of a forced Palestinian exodus.

With international pressure mounting and protests erupting in several Arab capitals, the fate of Gaza and its people remains uncertain. As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely to see how the Trump administration moves forward with its contentious plan.