Trump Proposes Palestinian Resettlement, Suggests US Control over Gaza

He also suggested that the United States assume control over Gaza, pledging to rebuild it and create economic opportunities for its future residents.

Trump made the remarks on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The meeting comes as a fragile six-week ceasefire holds in Gaza, following 15 months of war that have displaced around 1.9 million people—more than 90% of the enclave’s population—according to the United Nations.

“You can’t live in Gaza right now, and I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy,” Trump told reporters at a photo op with Netanyahu. “If we can get a beautiful area to resettle people permanently in nice homes, where they can be happy and not be shot, not be killed, not be knifed to death like what’s happening in Gaza.”

Trump suggested that countries such as Jordan and Egypt could host displaced Palestinians, despite previous rejections from these nations. A joint statement from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League on Saturday warned that any forced resettlement would “threaten the region’s stability, risk expanding the conflict, and undermine prospects for peace and coexistence.”

Netanyahu did not comment on Trump’s proposal but thanked him for his role in brokering the ceasefire. He reiterated Israel’s goals of securing the release of hostages, dismantling Hamas’s military and governing structures, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to his regime.

Palestinian officials have rejected Trump’s resettlement proposal. “We want to rebuild Gaza because this is where we belong,” said Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations. “For those who want to send the Palestinian people to a ‘nice place,’ allow them to go back to their original homes in what is now Israel.”

Hamas also condemned the suggestion, calling it “a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.” Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official, said: “Our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass. What is required is an end to the occupation and aggression against our people, not their expulsion from their land.”

Trump also proposed that the United States “take over” Gaza, pledging to clear unexploded ordnance and rebuild the enclave. “The US will take over the Gaza Strip. And we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” he said.

When asked to clarify what he meant by a “takeover,” Trump suggested a long-term American role in the territory. “Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing it, and creating thousands of jobs,” he said.

Trump did not rule out deploying US troops to Gaza, stating, “We’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that. We’re going to take over that place.”

Asked who would inhabit Gaza after redevelopment, Trump said: “I envision… the world’s people living there. I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable. And I think the entire world, representatives from all over the world, will be there and they’ll live there… Palestinians also.” He added, “I don’t want to be a wise guy. But the Riviera of the Middle East – this could be so magnificent.”

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, approximately 47,500 Palestinians have been killed and over 111,500 wounded during Israel’s military campaign.