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Donald Trump recently stated that the Gaza Strip would be handed over to the US by Israel once the conflict in the region has ceased, without requiring American troops to maintain peace.
The US president made this announcement following objections from allies in various regions and the White House’s efforts to address concerns about potential prolonged military involvement.
He stated that Israel would transfer control of the Gaza Strip to the United States after the conflict ends according to a post on his Truth Social platform. Trump also mentioned that Palestinians would have already been relocated to safer and more developed communities in the region.
Working with teams from around the world, the US would gradually begin the construction of a significant development project, as Trump described it, one of the most impressive of its kind on Earth.
Trump’s initial announcement of the US taking control of Gaza and using force if necessary sparked controversy in the Arab world, with officials from the region warning about potential legal violations and increased instability.
It faced backlash from some of his supporters domestically, who felt it contradicted his “America First” agenda and opposition to prolonged foreign military engagements.
However, Israeli officials expressed support for the proposal, with defense minister Israel Katz instructing the military to create a plan for voluntary evacuation of Gazans through various means.
HA Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that this plan increased pressure on Egypt and indicated a shift in approach towards Palestinians in Gaza, maintaining a sense of unpredictability in the region.
