In a significant shift in U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would “take over” and “own” Gaza as part of an ambitious redevelopment plan. The proposal, which suggests resettling Palestinians elsewhere, aims to transform the war-torn enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
Speaking at the White House after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump outlined his vision for rebuilding Gaza, promising “unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.” He stated that the U.S. would take responsibility for clearing destroyed buildings and removing unexploded ordnance, saying, “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it.”
Hamas Rejects U.S. Gaza Takeover Plan
The plan was swiftly condemned by Hamas, the Palestinian group that governs Gaza, which described it as a “recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.” In a statement, the group rejected the idea of resettling Palestinians elsewhere, asserting that the focus should be on ending Israeli occupation rather than expelling people from their land.
The announcement comes amid ongoing negotiations to extend the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The current 42-day truce, set to expire on March 1, has facilitated the release of 33 Israeli captives and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Talks for a second phase, which could include a full Israeli troop withdrawal and the release of all captives, are already underway. However, Trump cast doubt on the agreement’s durability, warning that “the strikes could start tomorrow.”
Trump Proposes U.S. Oversight In Gaza
Trump suggested the U.S. would take a long-term role in Gaza’s redevelopment, arguing that global support for the idea was strong. “Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land,” he said, while also proposing that displaced Palestinians could relocate to “other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts.”
The president also left open the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to maintain security in Gaza. “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary,” he said. “If it’s necessary, we’ll do that.”
Netanyahu Backs Proposal Amid Palestinian Outrage
Netanyahu, who hailed Trump as Israel’s “greatest friend,” expressed cautious optimism about the proposal, saying it was an idea “worth paying attention to” and could “change history.”
Trump’s announcement has drawn broad condemnation from Palestinian advocates, who argue that any lasting peace must come from diplomatic efforts that respect Palestinian sovereignty rather than external control.
