Trump Proposes Radical Shift in Gaza Policy.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump outlined a dramatic plan for Gaza during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent White House visit. His proposal marks a major change in long-standing U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump called Gaza "a demolition site" and suggested "cleaning out that whole thing." He proposed moving all Palestinians from Gaza, saying they should "resettle permanently" in other countries.
The plan faces strong opposition from Arab nations. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League rejected the idea. They warned it could spread conflict and harm peace efforts in the region.
Trump described his vision of Gaza as "the Riviera of the Middle East." He said "the world's people" would live there, adding "also Palestinians." His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, praised Trump's real estate expertise.
The proposal breaks with decades of U.S. policy dating back to Israel's creation in 1948. Most of Gaza's current population consists of Palestinians who fled earlier conflicts, plus their descendants.
Israeli far-right groups have long pushed to remove Palestinians from occupied territories. These groups, part of Netanyahu's coalition, want Israeli settlements in Gaza. They oppose the current ceasefire deal.
Trump offered U.S. help to rebuild Gaza, saying, "We'll do what is necessary" when asked about American troops. This stance raises questions about international law, which bans forced population transfers.
Palestinians view this plan as a collective punishment. It would end hopes for a traditional two-state solution. Netanyahu's political base and ultranationalist settlers support Trump's position, seeing it as a way to remove what Netanyahu calls "Gaza's threat to Israel."
Former U.S. President Donald Trump outlined a dramatic plan for Gaza during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent White House visit. His proposal marks a major change in long-standing U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump called Gaza "a demolition site" and suggested "cleaning out that whole thing." He proposed moving all Palestinians from Gaza, saying they should "resettle permanently" in other countries.
The plan faces strong opposition from Arab nations. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League rejected the idea. They warned it could spread conflict and harm peace efforts in the region.
Trump described his vision of Gaza as "the Riviera of the Middle East." He said "the world's people" would live there, adding "also Palestinians." His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, praised Trump's real estate expertise.
The proposal breaks with decades of U.S. policy dating back to Israel's creation in 1948. Most of Gaza's current population consists of Palestinians who fled earlier conflicts, plus their descendants.
Israeli far-right groups have long pushed to remove Palestinians from occupied territories. These groups, part of Netanyahu's coalition, want Israeli settlements in Gaza. They oppose the current ceasefire deal.
Trump offered U.S. help to rebuild Gaza, saying, "We'll do what is necessary" when asked about American troops. This stance raises questions about international law, which bans forced population transfers.
Palestinians view this plan as a collective punishment. It would end hopes for a traditional two-state solution. Netanyahu's political base and ultranationalist settlers support Trump's position, seeing it as a way to remove what Netanyahu calls "Gaza's threat to Israel."
