Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza, as Israel’s military was ordered to draft plans for large-scale Palestinian departures from the territory.
Trump’s plan, unveiled during a White House press conference alongside Netanyahu on Tuesday, sparked widespread condemnation from global leaders and human rights groups, who dismissed it as both unworkable and illegal. The proposal suggests relocating Gaza’s population to neighboring countries while Israel assumes long-term control of the enclave.
Netanyahu defended the idea in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, calling it “remarkable” and arguing that allowing Gazans to leave voluntarily was a concept worth pursuing. “The actual idea of allowing first Gazans who want to leave to leave—what is wrong with that?” Netanyahu said. He added that those who left “can come back,” though details on such a provision remain unclear.
The proposal has faced fierce opposition, particularly from Washington’s Western allies and leaders across the Middle East. Many Arab nations have reaffirmed their commitment to Palestinian statehood, with Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, stating that Arab nations were focused on reconstructing Gaza while Palestinians remain in the enclave. Meanwhile, Jordan, which has voiced strong opposition to the plan, sent King Abdullah on a diplomatic visit to the United Kingdom and the U.S. to discuss regional stability.
Trump’s Gaza Proposal Sparks Global Outrage
Critics argue that implementing the proposal would violate international law and amount to forced displacement. Human rights groups have labeled the plan as ethnic cleansing, warning that it would set a dangerous precedent in the region.
Trump’s plan also marks a sharp departure from long-standing U.S. foreign policy, which has historically advocated for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Following the backlash, White House officials sought to downplay key aspects of the proposal, emphasizing that U.S. troops would not be deployed to enforce the plan.
Republican lawmakers met privately with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Wednesday to clarify details of the proposal. According to sources, some lawmakers were caught off guard, with one describing the meeting as filled with “a lot of consternation.” Senator Roger Wicker asked whether the plan had been under consideration for some time, to which Witkoff suggested it had—though other administration officials reportedly remained unaware of its details before the announcement.
Trump Stands Firm On Gaza Plan
On Thursday, Trump doubled down on the proposal in a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that Gaza “would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting” and reiterating that no American troops would be needed. However, he did not elaborate on how such a transition would be implemented.
The controversy unfolds as Gaza continues to suffer from devastation following 15 months of Israeli bombardment, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks. The plan’s feasibility remains uncertain, but its announcement has already reshaped the geopolitical conversation around the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
