Trump’s Dangerous Gambit on Gaza
Thousands of Palestinians return to their demolished buildings in the Jabalia region of Gaza following the January ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. President Trump has promised the United States government will “clean out” Gaza and expel the Palestinians, a polarizing plan that has faced widespread backlash from international organizations and support from the far-right Israeli government. Source: Agence France-Presse
After nearly a year and a half of Israel’s bombardment on Gaza, with Palestinians returning to their now decimated city, the United States government has expressed an intent for further involvement in the region. Earlier this week, President Trump stated to reporters that the United States would be completing a full takeover of the Gaza Strip, viewing it as a lucrative economic opportunity.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip,” Trump said, “and we’ll do a job with it too.” He added that the United States would create a renewed housing development employing thousands of workers, but did not specify how this would happen.
President Trump’s remarks were immediately met with backlash, with most concerns being directed toward the uncertain fate of the nearly 1.8 million Gazans. Trump has proposed that in order to accommodate the displaced Palestinians, neighboring Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan, should welcome them in as refugees. In a later comment, the president attributed the Palestinians’ plight as “bad luck.”
This proposed expansionist policy is one that is likely to continue the United States’ prolonged involvement in the Middle East and is inherently inflammatory amidst the recent fragile ceasefire, demolished infrastructure, and the more than 60,000 Palestinians killed by Israel since October 2023. The policy has set off global alarms from many humanitarian organizations due to its brazen violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions.
“Any forced displacement of people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing,” said United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a press conference last Wednesday.
This sentiment was reiterated by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who found the plan to be “unlawful, immoral and irresponsible.” Albanese critiqued Trump’s comments after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding, “This is worse than ethnic cleansing. It’s forced displacement… which is an international crime.”
Another major issue with the proposal revolves around the means by which the United States would reform the region. Upon being questioned on whether or not American troops would be deployed on Palestinian soil, Trump replied, “We'll do what is necessary. If it's necessary, we'll do that. We're going to take over that piece.” President Trump has since walked back on that claim, but has doubled down on the urgency in which the United States needs to seize control, likening Gaza to "a real estate development,” that would not grant Palestinians the right of return.
Trump’s proposal was well-received by the Israeli government, with Netanyahu hailing the idea as “revolutionary and creative.” Netanyahu declared the Trump administration was “taking it to a much higher level,” and that “it's something that could change history and it's worthwhile really pursuing this avenue.” Several other senior Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have welcomed Trump’s plan, hailing it as a bold initiative that sets a precedent for the future.
Unsurprisingly, the resounding response from the rest of the Middle East was one of condemnation. Many Arab leaders such as King Abdullah II of Jordan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have opposed the notion of further annexation of Palestinian territory, and argue that the plan to transfer power to anyone other than the Palestinians is one of aggression. Additionally, senior Hamas official Basem Naim warned against any implementation of the plan, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and to respect the current ceasefire; he clarified that Hamas remains committed to the agreement, but any breach on the Israeli end would be problematic.
Whichever course the United States decides to take, it needs to be taken with caution. It’s hard to forget the gruesome images and the massive civilian damage caused by American involvement in recent years. Whether it’s been Iraq, Afghanistan, or Palestine, a promise every administration has made has been to keep America first and keep troops at home. It’s become clear through American and foreign bloodshed that, the more the U.S. gets involved, the more the region destabilizes, and that any gain or long-term “development” is simply not worth it. As Gazans attempt to rebuild their lives amidst the rubble that remains, the need for an independent Palestinian state grows. Any progress towards this is completely jeopardized in validating Trump’s plan, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The Palestinians’ commitment to remain in Gaza in the face of more expulsion is emphasized by the displaced Imad al-Qassas, a 60-year-old father of six. Still living in a tent, he said to Al Jazeera: “I would rather die where I stand. Even if they cut me and my children into pieces, I will not leave… We have lives.”