President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine has strongly condemned a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to have the United States take control of Gaza and permanently relocate its 2.1 million residents. Abbas described the idea as a violation of international law, asserting that Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine and any forced displacement would not be tolerated.
Trump’s plan, unveiled during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggests the U.S. take responsibility for Gaza, dismantling weapons and clearing the region of destroyed buildings. Trump also proposed relocating 1.8 million Palestinians to neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt to make way for his vision of turning Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East.” He suggested that in time, these refugees might be allowed to return, though this idea was met with strong opposition from Palestinian leaders.
Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, also rejected the proposal, calling it “an aggressive move” that would “fuel further instability” in the region. The organization emphasized that such a plan would worsen the ongoing conflict, not resolve it. Palestinians in Gaza echoed these sentiments, stating they would rather remain in the region than be forcibly relocated, despite the ongoing devastation from Israel’s military campaign.
The proposal also sparked widespread condemnation across the Arab world. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its stance that it would not normalize ties with Israel until a Palestinian state is established. Egypt and Jordan, both of which had previously rejected Trump’s suggestion that they host displaced Palestinians, reiterated their positions. Egypt‘s Foreign Minister emphasized that any reconstruction efforts in Gaza should focus on rebuilding the area “without moving Palestinians.”
The plan, which challenges decades of U.S. foreign policy, has drawn concern from international communities. The United Nations and several European countries warned that the proposal could violate the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the forcible transfer of populations. France and the UK echoed concerns, arguing that this could undermine the potential for a two-state solution and destabilize the region further.
Trump’s proposal comes two weeks after a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, during which Hamas released some Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The ongoing war has already resulted in over 47,500 deaths and significant destruction in Gaza, with large portions of the infrastructure decimated.
The international community remains divided on how best to address the ongoing crisis, but Trump’s plan has unquestionably provoked strong backlash from Palestinian leadership and Arab states. For now, the future of Gaza remains uncertain, with questions surrounding the rights of its residents and their potential displacement.
