Summary:
- Former US President Donald Trump proposes unprecedented US takeover of Gaza Strip to transform it into “the Riviera of the Middle East” through massive redevelopment.
- Plan includes relocating Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians to unspecified host countries, with unclear voluntary/forced migration mechanisms.
- Announced amid ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that has displaced 90% of Gaza’s population and destroyed critical infrastructure (UN estimates).
- Receives condemnation from Palestinian leadership while attracting cautious interest from some regional allies seeking stability.
Former President Donald Trump announced a controversial proposal Tuesday for the United States to assume control of the Gaza Strip and coordinate the resettlement of Palestinian residents to other nations. The plan would radically transform the embattled territory into what Trump described as “the Riviera of the Middle East” through extensive redevelopment efforts.
The surprise initiative calls for relocating Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians to unspecified host countries, though details remain unclear about whether this would involve voluntary migration or forced displacement. Trump did not identify potential recipient nations or explain how the US would administer Gaza during the transition period.
This proposal emerges amid ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza following nine months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas. The territory currently faces widespread infrastructure destruction, severe shortages of essential supplies, and displacement of nearly 90% of its population according to UN estimates.
The plan marks Trump’s most direct intervention in Middle East policy since leaving office, reviving elements of his administration’s Abraham Accords while dramatically expanding the envisioned US role. Analysts note the proposal would require unprecedented international cooperation and raises complex questions about self-determination rights under international law.
No timeline or implementation strategy was provided for the multi-phase proposal, which would require cooperation from Israel, Arab states, and the international community. The announcement has drawn swift condemnation from Palestinian officials while receiving cautious interest from some regional allies seeking stability.
