In a move that has sent shockwaves across diplomatic circles, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed that the United States take control of Gaza and forcibly relocate nearly two million Palestinians to other countries. The suggestion, which he described as a “humanitarian effort,” was made during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.
The announcement, which represents a sharp departure from decades of U.S. Middle East policy, was met with swift rejection from Palestinian leaders, Arab nations, and international observers. Egypt and Jordan, both key stakeholders in the region, immediately dismissed the idea, while Hamas called it a “recipe for chaos and tension.”
Trump’s Shift From Diplomatic Norms
For decades, the U.S. has supported a two-state solution that envisions Israelis and Palestinians coexisting peacefully. Trump’s proposal effectively discards that framework in favor of direct American control over Gaza.
“Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land,” Trump declared. He added that the U.S. would develop the territory, providing jobs and turning it into something “magnificent.” However, he failed to outline the legal basis for such an action or address concerns about its violation of international law.
A Proposal Amid Sensitive Cease-Fire Talks
Trump’s remarks come at a precarious moment, with negotiations for a permanent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas currently underway in Doha, Qatar. Israeli and Hamas representatives are engaged in delicate discussions aimed at ending the war and securing the release of hostages.
The proposal for a U.S. takeover of Gaza could complicate those talks. While the Biden administration previously stated that Hamas should not remain in power in Gaza, Trump’s suggestion goes significantly further, raising concerns about new geopolitical tensions.
Unanswered Logistical Challenges
Trump left key logistical questions unanswered, including how a takeover would be enforced, whether military action would be required, and how forcibly relocating two million Palestinians would be executed. He also insisted—without evidence—that Egypt and Jordan would accept the displaced population despite their outright refusals.
When asked about funding for the grand reconstruction plan he envisions, Trump vaguely suggested that “other countries” would pay for it while hinting at “long-term U.S. ownership.”
An Expansionist Vision?
Trump’s proposal is consistent with his recent expansionist rhetoric. Since assuming office for his second term, he has floated the idea of acquiring Greenland from Denmark, reasserting U.S. control over the Panama Canal, and even pushing for Canada to become America’s 51st state. These ideas have been widely criticized, and the Gaza proposal is expected to face even stronger opposition.
He argued that Palestinians would support his plan because of the destruction caused by the ongoing war. “The only reason the Palestinians want to go back to Gaza is they have no alternative,” he claimed.
A Strategy of Shock and Disruption
The proposal appears to be part of Trump’s broader approach of disrupting the global and domestic status quo. In his first two weeks back in office, he has pursued a series of aggressive moves aimed at reshaping U.S. governance and international relations.
Standing beside Trump at the press conference, Netanyahu appeared to endorse the approach. “You cut to the chase,” Netanyahu said. “You see things others refuse to see.”
While it remains unclear whether Trump’s proposal will gain traction within his administration or among U.S. allies, it has already triggered alarm across the Middle East and beyond.
Newspot Nigeria will continue to monitor this developing story.
(This report includes information from The New York Times.)
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