When U.S. President Donald Trump won the second term presidency elections, many analysts and experts voiced concerns. His first term had already been marked by controversial decisions that not only angered the international community; but also drew criticism from within the U.S. itself. With his re-election, one of the most pressing fears revolved around the Palestinian issue. Now, he has openly begun discussing the occupation of Gaza, an essential and integral part of Palestine. He has not only hinted at this plan; but has repeatedly stated that the U.S. intends to take control of the Gaza Strip. During a 20-minute question-and-answer session with reporters, abroad Air Force One on January 26, 2025, Trump made a shocking, irresponsible, controversial and irrational statement. He called on Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations to increase their acceptance of Palestinian refugees from Gaza suggesting a potential mass displacement of people to “just clean out” the war-torn region. Explaining his stance, he bluntly remarked: "I would like Egypt to take people. You're talking about probably 1.5 million people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say: 'You know, it's over.'" His words not only underscored his administration’s aggressive approach; but also hinted at a dangerous shift in U.S. policy toward the Palestinian crisis like in his first term.
On February 6, 2025, during a joint press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House, Trump made a startling announcement. Speaking with confidence, he outlined his plan for Gaza, stating: "The United States will take control of the Gaza Strip. We will own it. I see a long-term ownership position in Gaza. We will develop the area, create jobs for the local population, and establish settlements for new residents. Under this plan, Palestinians will be relocated to designated areas in Jordan and Egypt. I have spoken with other Middle Eastern leaders, and they have liked the idea of relocating Palestinians out of Gaza. Once this plan is implemented, I foresee people from all over the world settling in Gaza."
Mr. Trump wishes a complete migration of Palestinians from Gaza, urging Jordan, Egypt, and other countries to absorb nearly 2.4 million displaced inhabitants of Gaza. He has asked Jordan and Egypt to accommodate this mass relocation, presenting it as a necessary step for his plan. He has also warned, insisting that they will have no choice but to leave Gaza. Clarifying his stance, Trump has explicitly stated that Palestinians who leave Gaza will have no right to return. Trump’s "reconstruction vision" is a plan to redesign Gaza’s landscape—introducing modern infrastructure, luxury tourist centers, and resettling foreign citizens in place of its original inhabitants. However, this proposed transformation is not just a shift in development—it represents a fundamental change to Gaza’s identity, raising deep ethical and geopolitical concerns about the future of the Palestinian people.
Following Mr. Trump's controversial and irresponsible statement, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has praised him as Israel's best friend. Netanyahu believes that Trump's plan "could change history." Trump, in turn, envisions a drastically different future for Gaza. This vision is significant and has the potential to reshape history. Netanyahu is a strong advocate for the plan.
Concerns from Various Countries over Trump's Occupation Plan:
Mr. Trump's statement has sparked a strong global reaction, with Muslim countries and several others condemning his remarks. They argue that his statements heighten concerns about peace and stability in the region. In response, the courageous people of Palestine have also protested against this plan. Hamas has made it clear: "We will never accept the displacement plan." Moreover, they have emphasized that anyone who advocates for the occupation of Gaza will be considered an enemy, and they stand ready to fight against such actions.
During an interview at the "Diplomatic Strategy Programme," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated on 1st February 2025 that "the removal of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip from their land constitutes ethnic cleansing. The displacement of Palestinians from their land will forever render a two-state solution impossible."
Saudi Arabia has completely rejected Trump's plan, asserting that relations with the occupying Israel cannot be normalized without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has voiced strong opposition to any attempts to displace Palestinians, reaffirming its unwavering support for their rights. In a similar vein, both Egypt and Jordan have also opposed Trump's proposal. Egyptian officials have introduced an alternative plan for the reconstruction of Gaza that aims to rebuild the area without displacing its Palestinian inhabitants. King Abdullah II of Jordan has characterized the plan as a source of instability in the region, firmly rejecting any attempts to forcibly remove Palestinians from their land. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has labelled the plan as "unacceptable," warning that the forced transfer of Palestinians from Gaza could provoke further conflicts in the region. The Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have condemned Trump's initiative, deeming it a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace. These organizations emphasize that the forced displacement of Palestinians would only exacerbate tensions and instability in the area.
European countries have voiced strong reactions to Trump's statement. The European Union has asserted that Gaza is an essential part of the future Palestinian state, emphasizing that any change to its status is unacceptable. In condemning Trump's remarks, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to Palestinian rights and the two-state solution. Germany's Foreign Minister has described the statement as unacceptable, asserting that, like the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Gaza also belongs to the Palestinians. He highlighted that displacing Palestinians would violate international law. Similarly, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that no third party should occupy Gaza, cautioning that the forced displacement of Palestinians would lead to increased instability in the region. During a United Nations Security Council meeting on 19th February, the Chinese Foreign Minister underscored that "Gaza and the West Bank are not bargaining chips for political negotiations; they are the homeland of the Palestinians, and China supports the two-state solution."
Trump's Plan for Occupying Gaza and Its Global Negative Effects:
While the practical implementation of Trump's plan remains uncertain, his rhetoric significantly emboldens the occupying Israel, encouraging it to advance its annexation efforts. This situation could lead to far-reaching negative consequences worldwide, particularly in the political, economic, and security realms. Moreover, Trump's irresponsible statement may prompt resistance groups to adopt extremist positions, potentially increasing instability in the region and escalating tensions in the Middle East. If Trump attempts to implement this plan, it could strain U.S. relations with Europe, resulting in substantial diplomatic pressure on the United States within the United Nations. Ultimately, this may lead to America's isolation on the global stage.
Whenever Trump advances this abhorrent plan, the resulting instability and tension in the Middle East are likely to escalate, potentially driving oil prices to soar and negatively impacting the global economy. This situation may ignite public outrage in Arab countries, pressuring their governments to adopt a more confrontational stance against the United States. In turn, strained trade relations between Arab nations and the U.S. could emerge, leading to significant economic repercussions for America. This could further amplify anti-American sentiments in the Middle East and other Muslim-majority countries. On the domestic front, the U.S. may experience political turmoil, with rising public protests and opposition to Trump's plan. Both Democratic and Republican leaders could find themselves voicing objections to his approach, further complicating the political landscape. As a result, America's global standing could weaken, giving rise to a new crisis in international relations.
Due to the oppression and bombings by the occupying Israel, Gaza is already experiencing a severe shortage of food, water and medical facilities. If the United States or Israel were to occupy Gaza, this crisis would escalate significantly. Millions of Palestinians would be at risk of displacement, forcing them to seek refuge at the borders of Jordan, Egypt and other countries. This situation would subsequently heighten the pressure on international aid agencies to provide essential assistance.
Is Trump Aiming to Promote His Son-in-Law's Business?
As a businessman, Trump often formulates plans with his commercial interests in mind, which can pose significant risks on a global scale, I think. There is allegedly a thought that Mr. Trump is crafting a plan to occupy Gaza to benefit his son-in-law Jared Kushner's business interests. This speculation is reinforced by Kushner's previous statements about Gaza, which align with what his father-in-law is now proposing. Kushner has previously articulated his views on the development of the Gaza Strip and the relocation of its inhabitants. He referred to Gaza as "waterfront property," suggesting that, if developed, it could become an attractive tourist destination. He even proposed that Israel should "cleanse" the area by removing its residents to facilitate development projects. It is crucial to emphasize that the Gaza Strip is not a sellable asset; it is an integral part of Palestine, designated for the Palestinian people.
Responsibilities of the International Community and Serious Individuals:
Trump has made a significant error by proposing a plan to occupy the Gaza Strip, which heightens the responsibilities of the international community. First and foremost, the United Nations must take decisive diplomatic action in response to this situation. The UN should collaborate with its member states to declare this U.S. plan illegal and work to prevent its implementation. Furthermore, it must establish measures to halt the forced displacement of Gaza’s inhabitants, rein in the annexation efforts of the occupying state of Israel, and pressure Israel to revert to its pre-June 1967 position.
The international community must unite and firmly oppose Trump's plan. If the global community does not take decisive action against such proposals now, any powerful nation could potentially occupy a weaker one without any consequence. To effectively address this issue, member states of the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the European Union, the African Union, BRICS, and SAARC should mobilize their efforts to collectively resist Trump's initiative; while publicly supporting Palestine. Countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, South Africa, Algeria, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Malaysia etc. can play crucial roles in this collective response. By imposing economic sanctions on Israel, these nations can help prevent violations of international law and hold Israel accountable for its actions.
In addition to the collective efforts of nations, human rights organizations must also become active in response to Trump's plan. Over the past fifteen months, the occupying Israel has devastated the Gaza Strip, and these organizations should prepare reports that detail the hardships and suffering faced by the residents of Gaza. Such reports will underscore the severe consequences of any plan for their forced displacement. Furthermore, some powerful countries could take a significant step by challenging Trump's initiative through legal action in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
When the occupying Israel launched an attack on the vulnerable and oppressed people of Gaza in October 2023, committing acts of genocide, the people around the world —civilized and humanitarian— protested vigorously against the occupying Israel and the United States, while expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza. In light of this ongoing situation, there is an urgent need for continued global protests against Trump's plan. Citizens in every country should pressure their governments to take a strong stance against this initiative. Those active on social media have a crucial role to play by raising their voices in support of Palestine and strengthening public opinion against these actions. Furthermore, figures from civil society should step forward to highlight the dangers of this plan and educate the public about its implications.
All four platforms must unite to strongly oppose Trump's plan to occupy Gaza. This collective action is essential to protect the Palestinian people from further oppression and suffering. If these platforms choose to remain silent and Mr. Trump succeeds in his initiative, the resulting conflict in the Middle East will likely spiral out of control. The repercussions—political, economic, security-related, and environmental—will not be confined to the region; but will adversely affect the entire world. ∎∎∎∎