On Tuesday, President Donald Trump made a bold announcement that took both his staff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by surprise.
Standing beside Netanyahu during a joint news conference, Trump declared his intention for the United States to “take over” the Gaza Strip and transform it from a war-torn area into a Middle Eastern “Riviera.”
Netanyahu, caught off guard by the remark, was seen grinning, but reports indicate he had only learned about Trump’s plan moments before the conference began.
White House and Military Response to the Proposal
Inside the White House, the announcement sent shockwaves through staff, many of whom were unaware of the proposal.
Typically, major foreign policy decisions are discussed with the State Department and Pentagon before being made public, but this was not the case here.
There were no meetings to discuss troop deployment or the financial cost of such an operation.
In fact, there were no outlines or clear plans presented about how the takeover would proceed.
Trump’s Long-Standing Interest in Gaza’s Potential
Despite the surprise reaction, Trump’s interest in Gaza’s potential goes back several months.
According to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Trump had been mulling over the idea of taking control of Gaza since October 7.
Trump had reportedly discussed the strategic value of Gaza’s coastal location with his aides, and after hearing about the dire conditions from his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who recently visited the area, the president’s resolve seemed to strengthen.
Witkoff described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic, highlighting the crumbling buildings and lack of utilities.
Trump’s response was to suggest a long-term solution to “clean up” Gaza, envisioning it as a habitable area once again, despite the overwhelming devastation.
Reactions and Uncertainty within the White House
Following the announcement, White House staff scrambled to understand the implications of Trump’s words.
Many officials hoped the proposal would be forgotten, but in the meantime, they focused on securing the ceasefire and hostage agreement in the region.
Meanwhile, the administration is exploring other avenues, including discussions with King Abdullah of Jordan, who is set to meet with Trump next week. The U.S. has been pressuring Jordan and Egypt to accommodate Palestinians from Gaza, and Trump even floated the idea of sending in U.S. troops if necessary.
Legal and International Backlash
Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza would undoubtedly violate international law, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has already called on the United Nations to protect the rights of Palestinians, labeling the plan as a “serious violation.”
The immediate reaction across the Middle East was one of outrage, with many condemning the proposal.
Middle East expert Aaron David Miller, who has worked with U.S. secretaries of state across multiple administrations, described Trump’s idea as “the reflection of a very unserious man,” pointing to the president’s real estate background and opportunistic thinking as the driving force behind the plan.
Republican Lawmakers and White House Response
As questions about Trump’s plan circulated, Republican lawmakers quickly distanced themselves from the proposal, avoiding comments on the matter.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to clarify the situation, stating that the president had not committed to deploying U.S. forces in Gaza, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio tried to spin the proposal as “a very generous move” to rebuild the area.
While the full scope of Trump’s plan remains unclear, one thing is certain: it has shaken both domestic and international political landscapes, with many questioning the seriousness and feasibility of such an unprecedented proposal.
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