Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is in no rush to advance his widely criticized plan for Gaza, which involves displacing Palestinian residents and placing the territory under U.S. control.
“There’s absolutely no rush,” Trump told reporters at the White House while meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Trump described his proposal as a “real estate deal” that had received “great welcome,” though he did not specify who supported it.
Trump’s Proposal: A Shift in Gaza’s Future
According to Trump, “Israel will give [Gaza] to us, and it will monitor the situation from a security perspective.” He clarified that while no U.S. troops would be deployed on the ground, economic investments could contribute to long-term stability.
His controversial plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza has been met with strong regional and international opposition. Even members of his own Republican Party have expressed concerns over the implications of such a move.
Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions
Last month, Trump suggested relocating Gaza’s residents to Egypt and Jordan, claiming that both Cairo and Amman were in agreement. However, the governments of these nations have publicly rejected the idea.
Trump has defended his stance, arguing that Gaza is unlivable due to extensive war damage and that relocating Palestinians would provide them with better opportunities elsewhere.
The Aftermath of War in Gaza
Over the past 15 months, at least 61,709 people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands more have been injured due to intense conflict in Gaza. The vast majority of the region’s infrastructure has been destroyed, forcing residents to be displaced multiple times.
Following last month’s ceasefire, many Palestinians have returned to their devastated homes, struggling to rebuild their lives amid the ruins.
Netanyahu’s Support and Saudi Arabia’s Response
During a recent press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that the U.S. take control of Gaza. Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, has backed Trump’s plan and dismissed the idea of Palestinian statehood.
Instead, Netanyahu has proposed that Palestinians establish their own state in Saudi Arabia. However, the kingdom quickly rejected this notion, reiterating that normalization with Israel would only be possible if an independent Palestinian state is established with East Jerusalem as its capital.
