Trump’s Gaza Plan Sparks Global Controversy:
Donald Trump announced a major change in US policy towards the Middle East while standing next to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House on 4th February 2025. US President Donald Trump has restated his vision for the US to gain control of Gaza after officials in his administration seemed to disagree with his earlier comments.
“Israel will hand over control of the Gaza Strip to the United States after the conflict ends,” Trump said. He further explained that under the plan, Palestinians would be settled elsewhere, and there would be no need to deploy U.S. soldiers there.
Trump’s plan has come under heavy criticism, with many calling it an attempt to remove Palestinians by force. The United Nations, human rights organizations, and Arab leaders have condemned it. Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly condemned Trump’s proposal on Sunday, describing it as a “scandal.” Analysts say the project is unlikely to be completed in practice.
Saudi Arabia also issued a statement saying it appreciates the “complete condemnation, disapproval, and rejection” of all brotherly countries that have opposed Netanyahu’s statement on the forced eviction of the Palestinian people.“
Palestinians clearly expressed their position that they would stay in their territory rather than move elsewhere. On the other hand, many Israelis are pleased with the extreme policies proposed by the White House, especially those on the far-right who seek to resettle Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has said that under his plan, two million Palestinians will be settled in neighboring countries under his plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip, and they would have no right of return.
“No, they won’t have the right to return, because they will be given better homes than ever before,” Trump told Fox News in an interview. I am talking about a permanent residence for them.”
Israeli and Palestinian Leadership Reactions:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, appreciated Trump’s proposal, calling it “revolutionary and creative.” President Trump has come up with a completely different vision, which is far better for Israel,” he said. This is a revolutionary and creative vision that we are discussing. They are very committed to implementing it, and it opens up many opportunities for us.
“The rights of our people and our land are not for sale, exchange, or bargaining,” the Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry said.“ The Israeli government and Prime Minister Netanyahu are trying to cover up crimes such as genocide, forced eviction, and occupation, which they have committed against our people,” the foreign ministry added.
Palestinian officials called Trump’s statement “ridiculous” and said it reflected “deep ignorance about Palestine and the region.”
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns:
The UN has warned that forcible removal of people from an occupied territory is strictly prohibited under international law and “equivalent to ethnic cleansing.” Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the White House, clarified that the evacuation will be temporary. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio also stated on the same day that the plan involves temporarily evacuating Gaza residents to facilitate the removal and reconstruction of debris.
The new action taken by the Trump administration is putting the already fragile ceasefire in Gaza at risk, as Palestinian groups view it as another effort to remove them from their territory. Hamas, for example, has warned that it will not resume the release of hostages under the current circumstances.
With tensions already high, Trump’s dangerous plan is adding to further uncertainty and unrest in the region.
Credits (BBC NEWS)
