Donald Trump's Plan to Take Over Gaza

The Takeover Plan, announced by USA President Trump, is a controversial proposal calling for the United States to assume control of the Gaza Strip and relocate its Palestinian population to exile. The plan has been framed by Trump as a means to rebuild Gaza and ensure its economic development, but it has drawn serious criticism on grounds of international law, diplomatic balance, and human rights.

This plan has sparked widespread international backlash due to its inclusion of forced displacement of the Palestinian population, establishment of U.S. sovereignty over Gaza, and enhancement of Israel’s military dominance in the region. It has been condemned by the international community as constituting ethnic cleansing and violations of international law, particularly by the Palestinian leadership, countries such as Türkiye, the United Nations (UN), and human rights organizations.

Contents of the Plan

“Takeover” of Gaza by the United States

U.S. President Donald Trump has argued that Gaza is no longer habitable and must be placed under U.S. administration. He has stated that the United States will “own” Gaza and launch a major reconstruction process there.

Trump has asserted that the U.S. must assume military and security responsibility for Gaza, though he has remained ambiguous on whether American troops would be deployed. He left open the possibility of military operations, saying, “If necessary, we will do it.”

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has evaluated Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza as a “historic” opportunity and emphasized its importance for Israel’s security. According to Netanyahu, eliminating all military threats in Gaza is essential to ensuring Israel’s safety.

Forced Displacement of Palestinians

One of the most controversial elements of the plan is the proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to other countries. Trump has claimed that Gaza is no longer livable and that Palestinians must be moved to new settlements to be constructed in Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations.

Trump has claimed this process would be better for Palestinians, stating, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and do something there. We will own it and be responsible for removing all unexploded bombs and other weapons and clearing the destroyed buildings.”

Trump described Gaza’s physical condition as “a zone of total destruction,” adding, “If we can find the right piece of land and build them truly safe communities, I believe this is far better than returning to Gaza.”

Claiming that Palestinians would enjoy a “better” life under this plan, Trump said, “When the fighting ends, Gaza will be handed over by Israel to the U.S. Palestinians will already be settled in new and modern homes in much safer and more beautiful communities by people like Chuck Schumer [Minority Leader in the U.S. Senate]. They will have a real chance to be truly happy, safe and free.” These statements have been interpreted by the international community as constituting forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes.

Reconstruction of Gaza and Economic Utilization

Trump has claimed that Gaza could be transformed into “the Riviera of the Middle East” and developed by international investors. He argues that reconfiguring Gaza as a tourism and industry hub would contribute to regional peace.

Trump has asserted that Gulf states and other wealthy nations will provide financial support for Gaza’s reconstruction. The plan includes building new hotels, trade centers, and luxury residential unit projects. Trump has explicitly stated that this reconstruction must occur without the current Palestinian population, proposing a fundamental change to the region’s demographic structure. He has clearly declared that the U.S. will play a major investor role in Gaza and seize economic control, saying, “I am determined to buy and take ownership of Gaza,” thereby signaling the U.S.’s intent to establish a permanent existence in the region.

This plan has been labeled by numerous international human rights organizations and political actors, beginning with the Palestinian people, as a “colonial” project.

Israel’s Position and Netanyahu’s Statements

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, during a common press meeting, expressed support for Trump’s plan to take over Gaza, describing it as a “historic” opportunity. Netanyahu has clearly stated Israel’s goal of maintaining full military control over Gaza.

Netanyahu has stated that the purpose of Israel’s military operations in Gaza is to completely eliminate Hamas and that Israel will continue its operations to fully dismantle Hamas’s military capacity and governance structure. He has declared that no threat to Israel will be tolerated in Gaza and has expressed favorable views toward the idea of displacing Palestinians.

Netanyahu has firmly rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state and reiterated his position that a Palestinian state must be established elsewhere, arguing that the presence of Palestinians in Gaza constitutes a security threat to Israel. These statements have been interpreted as rejecting Palestinian territorial integrity and laying the groundwork for the displacement of the Palestinian population. Israel’s stance has been viewed as exploiting the U.S. plan to advance its own interests.

International Reactions

Reactions from Palestine

Hamas officials have rejected Trump’s plan to take over Gaza and relocate Palestinians. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri has labeled Trump’s proposals as a “call for exile” and warned that such plans would further destabilize the region. Hamas spokesperson Abdullatif al-Kanu has stated that Trump’s rhetoric aligns with Israel’s extremist right policies and that the Palestinian people will never accept such a plan.

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary-General Hussein al-Sheikh has declared that all calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians are rejected. The Palestinian leadership has emphasized that the two-state solution is the only legitimate path grounded in international law and legitimacy. UN Permanent Observer for Palestine Riyad Mansur has criticized Trump’s proposals regarding Gaza, asserting that the Palestinian people must be allowed to return to their historic lands. Mansur stated that the people of Gaza wish to rebuild their own cities and will not accept being forcibly removed from them.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has also condemned Trump’s statements on “taking over the Gaza Strip.” Abbas has emphasized that these remarks constitute a serious violation of international law. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abbas stated, “These calls are a violation of international law, and peace and stability in the region cannot be achieved without the establishment of a Palestinian state.” Abbas has affirmed that Gaza, along with the occupied West West Bank and East Jerusalem, is an inseparable part of the Palestinian state.

Abbas has also praised Arab countries for their stance against the displacement of Palestinians, commending Egypt and Jordan for their statements defending Palestinian rights. Reminding the international community of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to an independent Palestinian state, Abbas has appealed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, calling on the international community to responsibility to protect the Palestinian people.

Reactions from the International Community

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has labeled Trump’s plan as “unacceptable” and warned that removing Palestinians from the equation would lead to greater conflict. Turkey has announced it will reevaluate its commercial and diplomatic measures against Israel. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated, “From our perspective, the new American administration’s proposals regarding Gaza, pushed under pressure from Zionist lobbies, have neither merit nor room for discussion. These are pure absurdities. They are attempts to stir up dust. No one has the power to remove Gazans from their ancient and eternal homeland. Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem are Palestinian and belong to the Palestinians.”

Saudi Arabia has firmly rejected Trump’s plan to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza. The Riyadh administration has emphasized that diplomatic normalization with Israel is impossible without the establishment of a Palestinian state and has clearly opposed annexation of Palestinian land, settlement policies, and forced displacement.

The governments of Egypt and Jordan have declared their absolute opposition to the forced relocation of Palestinians and warned that such an initiative would cause lasting instability in the region.

Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Israel’s efforts to expand its control over the West Bank and stated that collective punishment policies against the Palestinian people are unacceptable. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared its opposition to the forced displacement of Gaza’s population and called on all parties to adhere to a ceasefire.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that his government continues to support the two-state solution. Albanese affirmed Australia’s support for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid to Gaza but declined to make a direct comment on Trump’s statements.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has indirectly criticized Trump’s plan by affirming that Gaza, like the West Bank and East Jerusalem, belongs to the Palestinians. Baerbock stated, “Gaza, like the West Bank and East Jerusalem, belongs to the Palestinians. These territories form the foundation of a future Palestinian state. The forced expulsion of the Palestinian civilian population from Gaza is not merely unacceptable—it is a violation of international law.” She also warned that forced displacement would generate new suffering and hatred.

Baerbock recalled that the G7 countries, the Europe Union, and the United Nations have consistently stressed that the civilian population of Gaza must not be expelled and that Gaza must not be permanently occupied. Emphasizing that no solution excluding Palestinians is possible, Baerbock stated, “A Negotiation two-state solution remains the only solution that will allow Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, security and honor. This is also the clear position of Arab states in the region.”

Following these statements, a large protest demonstration against Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians was held in Berlin, Germany’s capital. Demonstrators gathered at Potsdamer Platz holding banners reading “No to Exile,” “Palestine is Our Country,” “Stop Aggression Against the West Bank,” and “Resistance is a Legitimate Right,” and chanted slogans against Trump and Israel. Protesters emphasized that Palestinians will never abandon their land and will resist this plan.

The United Nations (UN) has avoided direct commentary on Trump’s plan to “take over” Gaza and relocate Palestinians. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated in a press briefing, “Forced displacement is equivalent to ethnic cleansing.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the necessity of applying international law to Gaza and stated that conflicts must be resolved through negotiation.

Canada Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, in a statement from her office, affirmed that Canada supports the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. Joly emphasized Canada’s firm commitment to the two-state solution and its opposition to forced displacement in Gaza.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), in its official statement, affirmed its “historic” stance on protecting Palestinian rights. The UAE administration has firmly rejected any actions that violate Palestinian rights or attempt to forcibly displace them. It has also characterized Israel’s settlement activities as undermining the peace process.

Meanwhile, some figures within the Republican Party have criticized Trump’s plan. Prominent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham responded to Trump’s suggestion of sending troops to Gaza, recalling that in 1983 Ronald Reagan sent U.S. troops to Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 241 American servicemen. Graham warned Trump that deploying troops to Gaza would lead to a similar tragedy.

Republican Senator Rand Paul has also opposed Trump’s plan, stating, “I thought we were called America first. We have no right to contemplate a new occupation that will bankrupt our budget and spill our soldiers’ blood.” Paul stated that Israelis and Palestinians must determine how the process proceeds.

Reactions within the United States

Trump’s plan to take over Gaza has sparked widespread backlash within the United States. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy stated on the social media platform X, “Trump has completely lost his mind. An American occupation of Gaza will lead to the deaths of thousands of U.S. soldiers and a war lasting decades in the Middle East. It’s a vile, disgusting joke.”

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has stated that Trump’s proposal to forcibly displace two million Palestinians from Gaza and seize control of the region by military force amounts to ethnic cleansing. Van Hollen has warned that the plan would benefit regional actors such as Iran and place Arab partners in a difficult position. He has also stated that Trump’s proposal completely contradicts the longstanding U.S. policy supporting the two-state solution.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an American Muslim advocacy group, has condemned Trump’s ideas, stating, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not to the U.S.” CAIR has declared that forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza constitutes a “crime against humanity” and would amount to a violation of international law.

Amnesty International USA director Paul O’Brien has stated that the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is equivalent to the destruction of a people and noted that the vast majority of civilian casualties in Gaza have resulted from Israeli attacks.

Legal Dimension

Donald Trump’s plan to take over Gaza and remove Palestinians has been assessed under international law as constituting violations of sovereignty, forced displacement, and war crimes. Under international law, Gaza is recognized as part of Palestinian territory, and the U.S. claim to “own” Gaza and establish long-term control is interpreted as an act of occupation.

The 1949 Geneva Conventions and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights define the forced displacement of civilian populations in conflict zones as a war crime and a crime against humanity. Trump’s statements advocating the removal of Palestinians from Gaza have triggered accusations of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing and have been deemed legally problematic by the international community.

Trump’s proposal contradicts the two-state solution principle long supported by the UN and the international community. The U.S. unilateral takeover of Gaza has been criticized as potentially violating internationally recognized Palestinian rights.