“Trump Proposes Controversial Plan to ‘Own’ Gaza, Displacing Palestinians and Igniting International Backlash”
In a bold and controversial move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a dramatic shift in American policy on Gaza, proposing that the United States should “own” the territory and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This statement, made alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has sent shockwaves through the international community, raising legal, political, and humanitarian concerns.
Trump’s vision includes the displacement of Gazans to unspecified locations, with Jordan and Egypt expected to take them in. Despite firm rejections from both countries, Trump insisted, “They say they’re not going to accept, I say they will.” His remarks starkly contrast with the realities on the ground, where thousands of displaced Palestinians have been returning to North Gaza despite its devastation from Israeli bombardment. This proposal effectively pushes for the forced relocation of an entire population, violating international norms, including those prohibiting ethnic cleansing.
The former president’s statements mark a departure from his 2020 “Peace to Prosperity” plan, which, while heavily favoring Israel, still acknowledged a pathway—albeit a limited one—toward a Palestinian state. This new approach appears far more transactional, treating Gaza as a real estate asset rather than a territory with political sovereignty. When pressed on what “taking over” Gaza means, Trump stated he envisions a “long-term ownership position,” further fueling concerns that his plan disregards international law and the Palestinian right to self-determination.
Trump also ramped up pressure on Iran, signing an executive order reinstating “maximum pressure” sanctions and re-designating Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a terrorist organization. His policies on Iran come amid shifting Gulf dynamics, where nations such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been engaging in military and economic dialogues with Tehran. Iranian naval vessels recently docked at the UAE’s Khalid port for the first time, a stark contrast to past hostilities. Meanwhile, Iran has expressed willingness to reopen negotiations on its nuclear program, provided that Western powers engage seriously.
These developments create new uncertainties in the region, as Trump’s aggressive stance on Iran clashes with evolving Gulf state diplomacy. As tensions rise and Middle Eastern alliances shift, the consequences of Trump’s Gaza plan and Iran policy remain unpredictable.
