Inside Trump’s Gaza ‘take over’ plan: What US President said and where his allies stand? Explained

US President Donald Trump

During a White House press conference on Tuesday, President Donald Trump made a surprising declaration that the United States would "take over" the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, asserting that America would "own it" and spearhead economic development in the region.

He claimed this initiative would generate "unlimited numbers of jobs and housing." Standing beside him during the announcement was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings – level it out," Trump said.

"Create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area, do a real job, do something different,” he said.

Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit President Trump in his second term, responded to the proposal by saying, "We're talking about it. He's exploring it with his people, with his staff. I think it's something that could change history, and it's worthwhile really pursuing this avenue.”

Gaza has been decimated during a war with its neighbour Israel, which began with the October 7, 2023, attack by the terror group Hamas.

What Trump said on the Palestinians?

Trump said that the US would request neighbouring countries to take in Palestinians displaced from Gaza. Since January 25, he has persistently appealed to Egypt and Jordan, but both nations, along with other Arab states, have firmly opposed the idea.

"Instead, we should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts, and there are many of them that want to do this and build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza, ending the death and destruction and frankly, bad luck. This could be paid for by neighboring countries of great wealth," Trump stated on Tuesday.

Asked about the possibility of sending US troops to Gaza, Trump said the US would “do what is necessary” as he laid out plans for the US to take the area over, and suggested he would visit the territory.

Change in stance?

For decades, Washington has backed a two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians that would create a state for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel. During the press conference, Trump was questioned on whether his administration had shifted away from this long-standing policy.

"It doesn't mean anything about a two state or one state or any other state, it means that... we want to give people a chance at life... because the Gaza Strip has been a hell hole for people living there," Trump added without directly answering the question.

Who will live in Gaza Strip after its rebuilt?

When asked who does he envision living in the Gaza Strip after it is rebuilt, Trump said “I envision world people living there. The world's people. I think you'll make that into an international, unbelievable place. I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable. And I think the entire world, representatives from all over the world, will be there, and they'll live there. Palestinians, also. Palestinians will live there. Many people will live there."

Who said what on Trump’s latest statement?

Egypt, Jordan, and other key US allies in the Middle East have strongly opposed any plan to transfer over 2 million Palestinians from Gaza, rejecting the notion outright.

Saudi Arabia, an important American ally, weighed in quickly on Trump's expanded idea to take over the Gaza Strip in a sharply worded statement, noting that its long call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.”

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stresses what it had previously announced regarding its absolute rejection of infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands or efforts to displace the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement said.

Similarly, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra, Australia, that his country has long supported a two-state solution in the Middle East and that nothing had changed.

“Australia's position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year, as it was 10 years ago,” he said.

New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that its “long-standing support for a two-state solution is on the record” and added that it, too, “won't be commenting on every proposal that is put forward.”

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, too, denounced Trump’s remarks, terming it as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘absurd’. "Trump's remarks about his desire to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd, and any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region." Zuhri was quoted as saying by Reuters.

He's totally lost it, said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on X. “A US invasion of Gaza would lead to the slaughter of thousands of US troops and decades of war in the Middle East. It’s like a bad, sick joke.”