On February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump made a bold proposal: the United States should take control of the Gaza Strip, resettle Palestinians in other countries, and develop the area into a luxury region, calling it the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This announcement came during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump explained that the US would take charge of Gaza’s recovery after relocating Palestinians. He described the strip as a “demolition site” due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has left significant destruction in its wake. Trump’s idea breaks from traditional US policy, which has supported Gaza as part of a future Palestinian state alongside the West Bank.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump told reporters. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.”
“If it’s necessary, we’ll do that, we’re going to take over that piece, we’re going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it’ll be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of,” Trump added.
“I do see a long-term ownership position and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East,” he said, adding that he had spoken to regional leaders and they supported the idea.
When asked who would live in Gaza under US control, Trump suggested that it could become a home for “the world’s people.” He sees great potential in the region, despite the years of conflict. However, he did not address how the US could legally or practically take control of Gaza, a region with two million residents and a long history of violent struggles over control.
Netanyahu, who has been involved in extensive military operations in Gaza, praised Trump for bringing new ideas to the table. He noted that Trump was “thinking outside the box” and was willing to challenge conventional approaches.
Critics, however, worry about the feasibility of such a plan. Jonathan Panikoff, a former US intelligence officer, said that such an action could involve a prolonged military commitment and would be viewed negatively by the Arab world, given the failures of US interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Trump also suggested that neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt should take in displaced Palestinians, though this idea has sparked concerns. Forced displacement of Gaza’s population could violate international law and is expected to face strong resistance, both within the region and from Western allies.
Hamas and other groups have condemned the proposal, calling it an attempt to expel Palestinians from their homeland. Saudi Arabia has also voiced strong opposition, insisting that the establishment of a Palestinian state is essential before any peace talks or relations with Israel can proceed.
“We consider them a recipe for generating chaos and tension in the region because the people of Gaza will not allow such plans to pass,” he said.
Trump’s controversial plan has raised questions about the future of Gaza, the rights of Palestinians, and the role of the US in the region. The world is watching closely to see how this proposal will unfold.
