President Trump proposes US takeover of Gaza, sparks outrage

New Delhi, February 05, 2025: US President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States "take over" the Gaza Strip, oversee its reconstruction, and transform it into the "Riviera of the Middle East."

The comments, made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, have drawn sharp criticism from US lawmakers and international observers alike.

The former real estate mogul turned U S president outlined a vision where the war-ravaged territory would be cleared of its current Palestinian population, allowing for an American-led redevelopment effort. "We’ll own it, and we’ll do a real job with it," Trump declared, as reported by the international media.

"We’ll be responsible for dismantling all the dangerous unexploded bombs, levelling the site, and building something truly magnificent." When pressed on who would ultimately inhabit the enclave, Trump suggested it could become home to the "world’s people."

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit Washington in Trump’s second term, responded positively to the proposal while speaking at the joint press conference, calling it "an idea worth paying attention to."

He further praised Trump’s ability to "think outside the box" and lauded him as "the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House." However, when asked under what authority the United States could assume control of Gaza, Trump was less forthcoming. "We see a long-term ownership position," he said, without elaborating on any legal or diplomatic framework.

The idea of Palestinian displacement is likely to inflame tensions across the region. Trump appeared to acknowledge the controversial nature of his suggestion but argued that Gazans themselves would welcome relocation. "Who would want to go back? The place has been hell," he said. When a reporter interjected that Gaza was their home, Trump dismissed the remark: "Gaza is not a place for people to be living."

The Palestinian refugees issue is not new, but it has been repeatedly rejected by leaders in Cairo, Amman, and Riyadh. Jordan’s King Abdullah, set to visit the White House next week, has long warned that any attempt to transfer Palestinians forcibly would be met with fierce resistance. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has also made clear that it will not absorb displaced Palestinians.

Reaction to Trump’s remarks was swift and scathing, as reported in the media. "He’s totally lost it," wrote Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut on X (formerly Twitter). "I have news for you—we aren’t taking over Gaza." Congressman Eric Swalwell of California expressed incredulity: "Wait, what? The US is going to occupy Gaza? We were promised no more endless wars."

Even within Trump’s own party, there was muted enthusiasm for the proposal, as some of the international media reported. One senior political analyst and supporter of Republicans spoke anonymously that it was not a good idea and may not get support.

Trump’s proposal comes at a delicate moment in the region. A ceasefire in Gaza, following 15 months of relentless conflict between Israel and Hamas, remains fragile. Hamas claims that talks on a second phase of the truce are ongoing, though Trump himself admitted there were "no guarantees" that peace would hold.

The president’s suggestion of an American presence in Gaza is particularly striking given his past criticism of US entanglements in the Middle East. "No more forever wars" was a rallying cry of his first campaign. He even frequently lambasted predecessors for interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, he appears to be contemplating precisely the kind of nation-building project he once decried.

Beyond Gaza, Trump signalled a tough stance on Iran, warning that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear weapon." He also suggested that a broader realignment in the Middle East—particularly a normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia—could still be on the table. "A deal can absolutely get done," he said.

Political analysts are again in a fix and somewhat confused as to whether Trump’s Gaza gambit is a serious policy proposal or a rhetorical flourish aimed at energising his base remains unclear. What is certain is that his remarks have thrown yet another grenade into an already volatile geopolitical landscape, and reactions by other nations and leaders will follow.