Former US President Donald Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of Gaza and resettle its 2.1 million Palestinian residents has sparked widespread condemnation. Palestinian leaders, Arab states, and international organizations have rejected the plan, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to Palestinian rights.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly opposed the idea, stating that Gaza is “an integral part of the State of Palestine” and warning against forced displacement. Hamas, the group governing Gaza, labeled the plan as “aggressive” and warned it would escalate regional tensions. Arab nations, including Jordan and Egypt, also rejected the proposal, with Saudi Arabia emphasizing that Palestinians “will not move” from their land and that normalization with Israel is impossible without a Palestinian state.
rump’s plan, unveiled during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggests relocating Gazans to neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt while transforming Gaza into what he called “the Riviera of the Middle East.” He claimed the US would oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, including clearing unexploded bombs and leveling destroyed buildings. However, critics argue the plan amounts to “ethnic cleansing” and undermines Palestinian rights.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed these concerns, stating that Gaza is a vital part of any future Palestinian state and warning against the dehumanization of Palestinians. The proposal comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, where over 47,540 people have been killed and 111,600 injured since the conflict escalated in October 2023. The territory faces severe humanitarian crises, including widespread displacement, destroyed infrastructure, and shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
While Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal as “historic,” Palestinian leaders and activists dismissed it as unrealistic and dangerous. Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, described the plan as “immoral, illegal, and dangerous,” while Gazans themselves vowed to remain on their land despite the devastation.
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