President Donald Trump’s proposal to rebuild the Gaza Strip and relocate its Palestinian population has sparked widespread international condemnation and resistance from key U.S. allies in the Middle East.
The plan, which Trump described as turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” involves having the United States take control of the territory, clear unexploded ordnance, level destroyed buildings, and create economic development projects. “We have to get all of the people that are living in Gaza, living in essentially a death zone, got to get them out,” Trump stated.
Analysts familiar with Trump’s negotiation style suggest this extreme proposal may be an opening bid, following principles outlined in his 1987 book “The Art of the Deal.” The strategy involves starting with an outrageous demand to shift the boundaries of what was previously considered possible, then negotiating down to a still-significant concession. By throwing out a seemingly preposterous plan, Trump may be forcing regional countries to react and propose alternatives, moving discussions about Gaza’s future from vague conversations to ones with real stakes.
The proposal could be aimed at forcing neighboring Arab nations, who have historically avoided taking an active role in Gaza beyond providing financial support, to step up their involvement. Egypt keeps its border tightly sealed, while Jordan, already home to a large Palestinian population, has resisted additional refugee intake.
Saudi Arabia issued an immediate rejection of the proposal, stating their position is “non-negotiable and not subject to compromises.” The kingdom reiterated that any normalization with Israel would require the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, directly contradicting Trump’s vision for the region.
Palestinian leaders have vehemently opposed the plan. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, responded by suggesting that if Trump’s goal is to send Palestinians to a “happy, nice place,” they should return to their homes in Israel.
Key U.S. allies Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected Trump’s suggestion that they accept more Palestinian refugees. Both nations fear that a mass influx of Palestinians would destabilize their countries, which are already struggling with economic challenges. Egypt has warned that any transfer of Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula could undermine its decades-old peace treaty with Israel.
Israeli reaction to the proposal has been mixed. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting Washington DC, acknowledged at a press conference with Trump that while such proposals initially cause “jaws to drop,” people later say, “You know, he’s right.” Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid avoided direct criticism, focusing instead on the priority of returning hostages held by Hamas.
The proposal comes amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with approximately 60 hostages still in captivity. Hamas has stated it will not release the remaining hostages without an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal, conditions that could be complicated by Trump’s proposal.
Legal experts and human rights organizations have raised concerns about the plan’s legality. The UN Human Rights Office has warned that forcible transfer or deportation of people from occupied territories would constitute a war crime under international law.
The Gaza Strip, home to 2.2 million Palestinians, has been devastated by Israel’s military campaign following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, in which 1200 Israelis were killed and 240 taken hostage.
Trump’s proposal suggests that wealthy Gulf nations could finance the resettlement of Palestinians, though this appears unlikely given the widespread regional opposition. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have joined Egypt and Jordan in rejecting any transfer plans, highlighting the unified Arab stance against forced displacement.
The timing of the proposal has raised concerns about its impact on ongoing diplomatic efforts. Egypt and Qatar have served as key mediators in talks with Hamas that led to the current ceasefire, and both are working with Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, to extend it. The introduction of this controversial plan could potentially derail these delicate negotiations.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to leave Netanyahu’s coalition if the war doesn’t resume after the first phase of hostage releases. This internal Israeli political pressure adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
The current phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which involves Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, is set to end in early March. The second phase, involving the remaining hostages, is still under negotiation, with Hamas demanding a complete end to hostilities as a condition for their release.