Department of Research, Studies and International News 10-02-2025

In a move that has generated widespread controversy, United States President Donald Trump has once again suggested that the U.S. should assume control over Gaza, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to what he described as “buying and owning” the war-torn enclave.

During an informal discussion with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump spoke about his vision for Gaza, likening the Palestinian territory to a real estate asset with redevelopment potential. He proposed that instead of direct American involvement in reconstruction efforts, certain Middle Eastern nations could be entrusted with the task under U.S. supervision.

“As far as rebuilding Gaza is concerned, we might assign different sections to other states in the region. They could manage parts of the redevelopment process, while we oversee and guide the efforts,” Trump stated while traveling to New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

However, he was unequivocal in asserting U.S. control over the enclave. “We are fully committed to owning it, securing it, and ensuring that Hamas does not regain a foothold there. At this point, there’s hardly anything left standing—it’s a demolition site,” he added.

Displacement and Resettlement Controversy

Trump also addressed the situation of displaced Palestinians, claiming that many would prefer not to return to Gaza if given an alternative, despite the strong resistance from Palestinian leaders to any suggestion of forced displacement.

“The only reason they are talking about returning is that they don’t see another option. But if they are presented with a safer, more stable place to live, they wouldn’t choose to go back to Gaza,” he asserted.

His remarks have drawn immediate condemnation from Palestinian representatives and much of the international community.

Hamas, the Palestinian political and military group governing Gaza, denounced Trump’s comments as “delusional and unacceptable.” In a statement shared via Telegram, Izzat al-Risheq, a senior Hamas official, rejected the idea of treating Gaza as a tradeable asset.

“Gaza is not up for sale. It is an inseparable part of our occupied homeland,” al-Risheq declared. “Approaching the Palestinian issue with the mindset of a real estate dealer is a sure path to failure. Our people will stand firm against all efforts to displace or deport them. Gaza belongs to its people, not to foreign buyers.”

Israeli Endorsement and Regional Reactions

While Trump’s proposal has drawn severe backlash from Palestinian groups, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed it, describing it as “bold and innovative.”

In a cabinet meeting held on Sunday, shortly after his return from Washington, Netanyahu praised Trump’s vision, calling it a “revolutionary approach” to dealing with Gaza’s future.

Trump’s comments come just days after he shocked the world by unveiling his idea of transforming Gaza into what he described as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” The suggestion that Washington would assume control over the enclave and oversee its redevelopment sparked immediate criticism from international observers and human rights organizations.

Despite the backlash, Trump remained firm on his stance, reiterating his proposal even as U.S. officials attempted to downplay its implications. Some members of his administration later insisted that any resettlement of displaced Palestinians would be temporary.

Trump, who built his fortune in real estate before entering politics, has provided little insight into how such a takeover would be executed. His suggestion raises numerous legal, ethical, and practical challenges.

Initially, Trump had hinted at the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to Gaza to enforce security measures. However, he later retracted this idea, clarifying that no American soldiers would be involved in the plan.

Meanwhile, key regional players, including Egypt and Jordan, have rejected any notion of absorbing Palestinian refugees, despite Trump’s insinuation that neighboring countries with “humanitarian values” could accommodate them.

Adding to the diplomatic turmoil, Saudi Arabia condemned a separate suggestion by Netanyahu that part of its land could be used to establish a Palestinian state.

“The Kingdom reaffirms that the Palestinian people have an undisputed right to their land. They are not outsiders or temporary inhabitants who can be expelled at the whim of the brutal Israeli occupation,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry declared in an official statement. The ministry further accused Netanyahu of attempting to “distract from Israel’s ongoing crimes in Gaza.”

Trump’s remarks have further inflamed an already volatile situation, exacerbating tensions between the U.S. and Arab nations. His rhetoric has sparked fears that Washington’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is shifting toward an aggressive, unilateral interventionist strategy.

While the proposal remains vague and largely conceptual at this stage, its implications have sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, leaving many questioning how the U.S. intends to navigate the crisis moving forward.

For now, one thing is clear: Trump’s real estate-driven vision for Gaza is unlikely to gain acceptance among Palestinians or their allies, and any attempt to implement such a plan will face significant opposition on the ground and in the international arena.