Trump Proposes U.S. Control Over Gaza, Sparking Global Outrage

Trump's Controversial Proposal: U.S. to Own and Rebuild Gaza

During an interview aboard Air Force One, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated his commitment to buying and owning the Gaza Strip. He suggested that while the U.S. would control Gaza, parts of it could be rebuilt by other Middle Eastern states.

"I’m committed to buying it, owning it. As for rebuilding, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it. Other people may do it through our offices, but we’re committed to taking it and ensuring Hamas doesn’t move back."

Trump also hinted at permanently displacing Palestinians from Gaza, describing the region as a "demolition site." His comments follow his earlier floated idea of the U.S. overseeing a massive reconstruction effort to turn Gaza into a "Riviera of West Asia."

Global Leaders React: Widespread Condemnation

Netanyahu Supports U.S. Takeover of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's vision, calling it a "revolutionary and creative approach." Netanyahu emphasized that this plan contrasts with previous discussions that included Palestinian governance:

"For an entire year, we were told that the 'day after' must include the Palestinian Authority. President Trump has presented a completely different, much better vision for Israel. This is something we are actively discussing."

Turkey and Germany Condemn the Plan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan outright rejected the idea, stating:

"No one has the strength to remove the people of Gaza from their homeland. Palestine belongs to the Palestinians, with Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Trump’s proposal a "scandal," while his conservative rival Friedrich Merz echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that forced relocation violates international law.

Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia Reject Trump’s Proposal

Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia outright dismissed the idea, while Russia and China warned that the plan would only "foster new suffering and hatred." The United Nations also criticized any forced displacement of Palestinians.

The growing international backlash raises questions about the feasibility of Trump’s proposal and the potential consequences of a U.S. takeover of Gaza.

Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to rise. In the last 24 hours:

• 8 Palestinians were killed, and 2 others wounded by Israeli military operations.
• The Palestinian death toll has reached 48,189, with 11,640 injuries since October 2023.
• Israel conducted an airstrike on a Hezbollah tunnel between Syria and Lebanon used for smuggling weapons.

As tensions mount, the world awaits how Trump’s controversial vision will shape U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Will his proposal gain traction, or will it remain a diplomatic flashpoint?

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