- Trump unveils controversial proposal for US control of Gaza following Palestinian displacement.
- International leaders, including Hamas and the PLO, strongly reject the plan.
- Critics call the proposal ethnic cleansing, warning of potential violence and instability.
- Global powers like Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and Turkey express firm opposition.
- Human rights organizations and US senators condemn the proposal as dangerous and reckless.
In a stunning statement, US President Donald Trump announced his plan to take control of the Gaza Strip. He suggested that Palestinians living there should be forcibly displaced, claiming they would “love to leave” Gaza. Trump made these remarks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
Trump envisioned a long-term US ownership of Gaza, promising economic prosperity and jobs. However, his comments have sparked widespread anger. Critics warn that this move could lead to ethnic cleansing and further destabilize the already volatile Middle East.
International Outrage and Condemnation
Trump’s suggestion to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza and place it under US control has sparked outrage worldwide. Political leaders, humanitarian organizations, and governments quickly criticized the proposal. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri strongly condemned it, calling it an “expulsion from their land.” He warned that any such plan would lead to chaos and instability, as the people of Gaza would never accept it.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif al-Qanou took the criticism further, accusing Trump of aligning with Israel’s far-right agenda. He stated that Trump’s remarks would only heighten tensions in the region. Al-Qanou stressed that the core issue is the right of Palestinians to stay on their land, which the proposal completely ignores.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) also rejected Trump’s idea. PLO Secretary-General Hussein al-Sheikh reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to a two-state solution based on international law. He emphasized that this solution ensures security, stability, and peace. The PLO reiterated that the right of Palestinians to remain in their homeland is central to their cause.
International Perspectives
Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s envoy to the UN, responded strongly to Trump’s comments. He suggested that instead of displacing Palestinians, they should be allowed to return to their homes in Israel. Mansour stated, “For those who want to send the Palestinian people to a ‘nice place,’ allow them to go back to their original homes in what is now Israel.” Many Palestinians share this view and believe Gaza is their rightful home.
These Palestinians want to rebuild the region themselves, with its native inhabitants. They argue that forcing them to leave Gaza is unjust. Instead, they call for the region to be restored to its former state, where they can live in peace. This view is central to their desire for justice and respect for their homeland.
Many countries have opposed Trump’s Gaza plan. Saudi Arabia, for example, rejected any plan that would displace Palestinians. The Saudi foreign ministry made it clear that it would not normalize relations with Israel without a Palestinian state. It also reiterated that Palestinian rights must be respected, especially regarding Israeli settlement policies and forced displacement.
Russia, China, and Turkey have also criticized the plan. Russia’s Sergey Lavrov called it collective punishment, warning that it would worsen tensions. China urged a peaceful resolution based on a two-state solution. Turkey’s Hakan Fidan called Trump’s remarks “unacceptable,” stressing that excluding Palestinians from peace talks would only cause more conflict.
US Response and Political Fallout
In the United States, Trump’s proposal has drawn sharp criticism from both political opponents and human rights groups. US Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, called the idea “ridiculous,” emphasizing the potential consequences of a US military intervention in Gaza. He warned that such an action could lead to the slaughter of thousands of American troops and trigger an extended conflict in the Middle East. “It’s like a bad, sick joke,” Murphy added.
Senator Chris Van Hollen also condemned Trump’s plan, describing it as ethnic cleansing in all but name. He argued that the proposal would further alienate US allies, particularly in the Arab world, and provide ammunition to adversaries such as Iran. Van Hollen called on Congress to stand firm against the plan, emphasizing that it contradicts decades of bipartisan support for a two-state solution.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a US Muslim advocacy organization, also condemned Trump’s remarks. “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States,” CAIR said in a statement. “If the Palestinian people were ever somehow forcibly expelled from Gaza, this crime against humanity would spark widespread conflict and destroy what remains of our nation’s international image and standing.”
Humanitarian Concerns
Human rights organizations have expressed grave concerns over the potential humanitarian impact of Trump’s proposal. Amnesty International’s US Executive Director, Paul O’Brien, called the forced removal of Palestinians from Gaza “tantamount to destroying them as a people.” O’Brien further stated that the ongoing destruction in Gaza is primarily due to Israeli military operations, which have killed thousands of Palestinian civilians, often with US-supplied weapons.
The United Nations has also voiced its concern, with a growing number of humanitarian organizations warning that such a plan would exacerbate an already dire situation in Gaza. With limited access to food, clean water, and medical supplies, Gaza’s population faces extreme hardship, and any forced displacement would likely lead to a new refugee crisis.
Global Backlash
Trump’s idea to take control of the Gaza Strip has caused global outrage. Political leaders, humanitarian groups, and governments have strongly condemned it. Critics say the plan amounts to ethnic cleansing and could worsen the region’s instability.
As tensions rise, the world remains united in calling for a peaceful solution. They support a political resolution based on the two-state solution. With widespread opposition, it’s unclear whether this proposal will gain support or be forgotten.