President Donald Trump announced on February 4, 2025, that the United States plans to assume control of the Gaza Strip, aiming to transform the war-torn area into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
This proposal includes relocating the approximately two million Palestinian residents to neighbouring countries and initiating extensive redevelopment projects in Gaza.
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump outlined his vision for Gaza’s future under U.S. administration.
He emphasized the potential for economic development and job creation, suggesting that U.S. oversight would bring stability to the Middle East. Trump did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to secure the area if necessary.
The proposal has elicited strong reactions from various stakeholders. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri warned that such ideas could ignite regional tensions, though he affirmed Hamas’s commitment to the current ceasefire with Israel.
Neighbouring countries, including Egypt and Jordan, have expressed opposition to resettling Palestinians from Gaza within their borders.
Legal experts and human rights organizations have condemned the plan, labelling it as a form of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
This initiative marks a departure from longstanding U.S. policy, which has traditionally supported a two-state solution, envisioning Gaza as part of a future Palestinian state alongside the West Bank.
The proposal raises questions about the feasibility of relocating a large population and the potential responses from regional actors. It also prompts discussions about the role of U.S. military involvement in the reconstruction efforts.
