In a recent move that has stirred controversy, US President Donald Trump posted an AI-created video on Truth Social showcasing his vision of Gaza as a luxury Riviera-style resort. The video, which features a dictator-like golden statue of Trump, hummus-eating Elon Musk, and a scene of a shirtless Trump sipping cocktails with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a beach amid skyscrapers and luxury yachts, has drawn sharp criticism from Hamas.
Hamas Reacts Strongly
Basem Naim, spokesperson for Hamas’s Political Bureau, condemned the video, stating that Trump’s depiction of Gaza is completely out of touch with the culture and interests of Palestinians living in the enclave. “Unfortunately, Trump is once again proposing ideas that do not take into account the cultures and interests of the people,” Naim told Newsweek. He emphasised that while Gazans long for a rebuilt, economically revived future for their children, such a transformation cannot occur under conditions resembling a prison. “We are not struggling to improve prison conditions, but to get rid of the prison and the jailer,” he added.
A Radical Redevelopment Plan
The video comes amid a broader plan proposed by Trump for Gaza’s redevelopment. The plan controversially calls for the expulsion of 2.1 million Palestinians from the region and its transformation into a U.S.-owned “Riviera.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious support for the plan, describing it as creative and potentially transformative, but he insisted that displaced Gazans must first renounce terrorism to return. Netanyahu even suggested that a new Palestinian state might be established in Saudi Arabia to accommodate those displaced.
Diplomatic and Regional Reactions
Arab leaders, spearheaded by Egypt, are now preparing a response to Trump’s proposal. They are scheduled to meet in Cairo on March 4, where they are expected to discuss the plan in detail before potentially presenting their objections to the American President. Meanwhile, the ongoing ceasefire between Hamas and Israel remains fragile, with hostage exchanges and prisoner releases still in play.
The AI Video: A Display of Power and Controversy
The AI-generated video opens with scenes of a war-torn, rubble-strewn Gaza, showing barefoot children walking through the debris left by the October 7, 2023, attacks. It quickly transitions to an imagined future where Gaza is transformed into a glitzy, modern resort, complete with luxury yachts, sports cars, and even a skyscraper reminiscent of the Empire State Building. Over these images, a voiceover proclaims, “Donald’s coming to set you free. Trump Gaza shining bright. Golden future, a brand-new light. Feast and dance. The deed is done.” The video further features scenes of Elon Musk dancing on a beach amidst falling U.S. dollars and ends with Trump and Netanyahu enjoying cocktails together.
Hamas and International Criticism
Hamas has strongly criticized the video, arguing that it trivializes the suffering of Palestinians and ignores the region’s cultural realities. Critics also argue that such propaganda undermines genuine efforts to rebuild Gaza and restore dignity to its people. As international debate continues, the video has intensified calls for accountability and a reassessment of policies that impact the region’s future.
The unfolding controversy highlights the complex interplay of propaganda, cultural insensitivity, and geopolitical tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, leaving many to question the true intentions behind Trump’s bold redevelopment vision.
