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Trump’s Gaza Strategy: A Game-Changer or an Unworkable Fantasy?

President Trump proposed that the US take control of Gaza, aiming to transform it into "the Riviera of the Middle East." Critics question the feasibility and legality of this bold plan

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Trump’s Gaza Strategy: A Game-Changer or an Unworkable Fantasy?

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House on Tuesday, February 4. Their press conference afterward grabbed headlines. Trump made a surprising statement about the Gaza Strip: “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it.” This was his first press conference with a foreign leader in his second term.

What is the Gaza Strip?

The Gaza Strip is a narrow land area on the Mediterranean Sea. It lies between Israel and Egypt and is roughly the size of Washington, DC. After Israel was created in 1948, Egypt controlled Gaza for many years. However, after the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel gained control. Israel built 21 Jewish settlements in Gaza, which it held until 2005.

Before the war on October 7, Gaza housed over two million Palestinians, making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Today, the area is largely destroyed, with thousands of casualties due to ongoing conflict.

Trump’s Plan for Gaza

Trump’s idea to take over Gaza shocked many. In the press conference, he said the US would “own” the land and transform it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” He didn’t explain how the US would gain control but promised to redevelop Gaza into a world-class location.

Trump added that Palestinians would be resettled elsewhere. He suggested that Gaza would be turned into a place where people, including Palestinians, could live in peace and prosperity. He emphasized, “It’ll be wonderful for the people.”

He also mentioned that the US would have a “long-term ownership position” and hoped it would bring stability to the region. He further stated, “This was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea.”

Palestinians’ Resettlement

Trump’s plan calls for Palestinians in Gaza to permanently resettle in other countries. He stated, “I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza.” He suggested countries like Jordan and Egypt temporarily host Palestinians while Gaza is rebuilt. This proposal sparked strong opposition from many Arab nations.

Trump also considered sending US troops to maintain security during reconstruction, but he didn’t provide details on this point.

Netanyahu’s View

Netanyahu responded positively to Trump’s ideas. He praised Trump for thinking differently about Gaza. However, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s goal was to ensure Gaza would never threaten Israel again. He added that peace could not be achieved while groups like Hamas remain in power.

Netanyahu noted that Trump’s proposal could change the region’s future. He said, “It’s worthwhile really pursuing this avenue.”

Criticism of Trump’s Proposal

Trump’s plan was quickly criticized by many. Democrats, including Senator Chris Murphy, called it reckless. Murphy warned that US involvement in Gaza could lead to the deaths of thousands of US soldiers.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, rejected the idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians. He argued that Gaza was their homeland and they should be allowed to rebuild it.

Saudi Arabia also rejected Trump’s proposal. It reaffirmed its position for an independent Palestinian state and urged the international community to focus on alleviating Palestinian suffering.

Experts also questioned the plan’s practicality. Brian Katulis from the Middle East Institute doubted that Trump had a real plan. He said the idea seemed “off the cuff” and unrealistic.

Furthermore, some warned that Trump’s plan could violate international law by forcibly relocating populations.

Defending the Plan

Despite the backlash, Trump’s officials defended his approach. Steve Witkoff, a senior adviser, stated that Palestinians didn’t need to remain in Gaza to have a better life. He explained that Trump wanted to give them hope and a chance for a better future.

Other officials said Trump’s plan was realistic and aimed at finding a solution, rather than imposing one.

Trump’s proposal for Gaza has sparked strong reactions. While some support his vision for change, others view it as unrealistic and harmful. Whether the plan will move forward remains uncertain. Only time will tell what impact, if any, it will have on the Middle East.