Trump’s claim implies Israel owns Palestine as his party rejects Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump doubled down on his proposal to take over Gaza despite reported opposition from his own aides, who reportedly acknowledged the lack of deliberation or discussion with them over his proposal, which he made in his own capacity. Later claimed that Israel would hand over Gaza to the US as if it were part of Israel.

Trump has not minced words in declaring his desire to occupy the Gaza Strip with a proposal to evacuate millions of Palestinians from their homeland, driving them to neighbouring countries with the connivance of Israel, despite global opposition. As for Trump, neither the opposition nor the violation of international law appears to concern him much.

The US president's use of the words ‘Gaza will be turned over’ by Israel once the military operations there are over has also created a narrative that the Palestinian region is owned by Israel, once again in a divisive, polarising, and colonial tone to justify occupying a country, disregarding all international laws.

Trump restated his position on his social media platform, Truth Social, in response to the backlash that followed his initial announcement. The plan, which envisions a transformed Gaza without its current inhabitants, has been condemned as an endorsement of forced displacement, with concerns raised that it could violate international law.

His assertion that no US troops would be required to secure the territory has also been met with scepticism, as military and diplomatic experts have pointed out the complexities of such a transition.

The proposal reportedly caught many within the US administration off guard, as no formal discussions had taken place regarding the feasibility of such an initiative. The White House kept a distance itself from the suggestion, clarifying that Trump had not consulted with key advisers before making the announcement. Defence officials also indicated that they had not been asked to develop a deployment plan.

The United Nations has opposed the idea, with Secretary-General António Guterres warning against any form of ethnic cleansing. The prospect of relocating Gaza's population to other countries has sparked concerns over violations of international law, particularly regarding the forced displacement of civilians from occupied territories.

Humanitarian organisations have also denounced the plan, arguing that it disregards the rights of Palestinians and fails to address the underlying causes of the conflict.

Trump's announcement has also faced resistance from within his own party. Several Republican senators have expressed unease over the idea, with some openly rejecting the notion that the United States should take control of Gaza. Members of Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement have also voiced concerns.

In Israel, the proposal has been met with mixed reactions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly expressed interest in Trump's vision, viewing it as a means to permanently remove Hamas from power. However, Defence Minister Israel Katz has framed it differently, stating that plans should be made to facilitate the voluntary departure of Gaza's residents rather than forcibly relocating them.

Katz has instructed the Israeli military to develop a strategy that would allow Gazans who wish to leave the territory to do so through designated exit points by land, sea, and air.

The timing of Trump's announcement coincided with critical ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha. The talks, which aim to secure the release of Israeli hostages and outline a potential withdrawal of Israeli forces, have been further complicated by the controversy surrounding Trump's plan.

Regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan have firmly rejected any proposals that involve displacement, while Egypt has also dismissed any role in facilitating such a process. The suggestion that Palestinians should be resettled elsewhere has been met with anger in Gaza, where many residents have declared their refusal to abandon their land.

The lack of clarity surrounding the proposal has raised questions about its practical implementation. No details have been provided on where displaced Palestinians would be relocated, how they would be accommodated, or which countries would be willing to accept them.

Some Israeli officials have expressed support for voluntary migration, but the international community has largely rejected any scenario that involves coercion or forced displacement. The Geneva Conventions prohibit the forced transfer of populations under military occupation, and legal experts have warned that any attempt to remove Gazans against their will could be classified as a war crime.

The broader implications of the proposal have also been a point of discussion, with concerns that it could undermine US foreign policy objectives in the region. Relations with Arab states, particularly those that have engaged in normalisation agreements with Israel, could be strained by an initiative that disregards Palestinian sovereignty.

Diplomatic analysts have pointed out that any plan involving the US administration of Gaza would require extensive coordination with regional allies, none of whom have expressed support for the idea.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered a more measured approach, stating that displaced residents would need to live elsewhere while Gaza is rebuilt. However, he has not provided any indication of whether they would be permitted to return under the proposed redevelopment plan.

Reports suggest that Rubio plans to visit key Middle Eastern allies in the coming weeks, with discussions likely to focus on Gaza's post-war future and the broader stability of the region.