The US President Donald Trump’s plan for the United States to “take over” the Gaza Strip and resettle its Palestinian residents was promptly rejected and criticised around the world on Wednesday.
During a White House press conference with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump disclosed his agenda that he outlined as revolutionising Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” He declared that the U.S. would take “ownership” of Gaza, eliminating deadly unexploded bombs, developing the war-torn territory, and establishing an economic hub to provide “unlimited numbers of jobs.”
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said, hinting that the U.S. would reconstruct Gaza and overlook its redevelopment.
However, the plan ignited strong criticism from several nations, intensified concerns that it would complicate ongoing truce dialogues, and heightened the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Turkey promptly criticised Trump’s remarks. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the U.S. proposal was “unacceptable,” alerting that any proposal that neglected Palestinian interests would only increase the confrontation.
Fidan said that Turkey would reconsider its movement against Israel, encompassing cutting off trade and reverting its ambassador, if Israel discontinued its killing of Palestinians and changed their conditions.
China also condemned Trump’s proposal. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Beijing is against the forced rehabilitation of people in Gaza. Highlighting China’s persistent support for a two-state solution, the spokesperson reaffirmed that Palestinian governance over Gaza remains a significant principle for the future of the region.
“Palestinian rule is the basic principle of post-war governance in Gaza,” the spokesperson said, conforming with international appeals for a peaceful resolution that respects Palestinian sovereignty.
The leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, opposed Trump’s plan as an expression of “American arrogance.” On X, he showcased that if Egypt or Jordan decided to go against the U.S., Yemen would also back them against the proposal.
The Houthis, who have previously aimed at Israel and shipping through the Red Sea, warned that Trump’s plan could escalate regional instability if met with resistance.
On the other side, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, applauded Trump’s plan, calling it a “bold action” aimed at bringing “lasting peace” to Gaza. He displayed hope that the proposal would stabilise the region, highlighting domestic support for Trump’s ambitious plan.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also backed Trump’s plan. Rubio said on X, “Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas” and voiced Trump’s plan for rebuilding Gaza, referring to it as part of an attempt to “Make Gaza Beautiful Again,” a reference to Trump’s campaign slogan. Rubio emphasised the U.S.’s determination to establish peace and rebuild the region.
Despite the support from some U.S. officials, the idea faced widespread criticism from several Middle Eastern nations, specifically from Saudi Arabia and others in the region.
These countries, which have long voiced for a Palestinian state in both Gaza and the West Bank with East Jerusalem as its capital, alleged that Trump’s proposal devalued Palestinian sovereignty.
The global consensus remains highly in favor of a two-state solution that would allow Palestinians self-determination, and the U.S. plan to take over Gaza was seen as a breach of that principle.
