Former President Donald Trump reiterated his controversial plan to redevelop Gaza, describing the war-torn enclave as a “big real estate site” and suggesting that the United States should take control of the area.

Trump’s Vision for Gaza

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Trump defended his position:

“I think it’s a big mistake to allow people—the Palestinians, or the people living in Gaza—to go back yet another time. We don’t want Hamas going back. Think of it as a big real estate site, and the United States is going to own it. We’ll slowly—very slowly, we’re in no rush—develop it. We’re going to bring stability to the Middle East soon.”

Trump, a former real estate mogul, compared Gaza to a demolition site, saying it would be “leveled out” and “fixed up”. He also suggested that other Middle Eastern nations should house displaced Palestinians in “beautiful sites.”

Netanyahu Backs Trump’s Proposal

Trump first introduced the idea last Tuesday during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating:

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too.”

He later described his vision of Gaza as a new ‘Riviera.’

Netanyahu has since praised the plan, calling it a “revolutionary, creative vision” for the post-war future of Gaza.

“For a whole year, we’ve been told that in the ‘day after,’ we need the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) in Gaza, the Palestinian Authority,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

“President Trump came with a completely different vision, much better for the state of Israel. A revolutionary, creative vision—and we are discussing it. He is very determined to implement it. This also opens up many possibilities for us.”

Backlash from Palestinian and Regional Leaders

Unsurprisingly, Trump’s remarks have been met with strong opposition from Palestinian leaders, including Hamas, which dismissed the idea as “absurd.”

“Gaza is not a property that can be bought and sold, and it is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land,” said Izzat Al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau. “Dealing with the Palestinian issue with the mentality of a real estate dealer is a recipe for failure.”

Regional leaders have also rejected Trump’s proposal, as it marks a significant break from decades of US foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The issue is expected to be a major topic of discussion when Trump meets with the King of Jordan at the White House this week.

White House: Trump’s Plan is Just the Start

Despite the backlash, Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, defended the former president’s comments, calling them an “initial salvo” to bring other regional players to the negotiating table.

“Come to the table with your plan if you don’t like his plan,” Waltz said on NBC’s Meet the Press. He also claimed that the White House has received “all kinds of outreach” following Trump’s proposal.

A Radical Shift in US Policy

Trump’s proposal marks a drastic shift from traditional US foreign policy, which has long supported a negotiated two-state solution. His suggestion that the US “owns” Gaza and could redevelop it as a real estate project adds another layer of controversy to an already sensitive geopolitical crisis.

As discussions continue, Trump’s plan remains highly divisive, sparking debates over sovereignty, international law, and the future of Gaza.

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As Lebanon experiences a fragile truce following intense clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, Gaza remains engulfed in conflict. Despite U.S. efforts to broker peace, Palestinians in the enclave feel increasingly abandoned.

Shifting Focus: Lebanon’s Truce Leaves Gaza Isolated

The recent ceasefire in Lebanon has offered temporary relief to its citizens, but at a cost to Gaza. Hezbollah, which previously tied its actions to the situation in Gaza, abandoned its demand for a simultaneous truce after facing escalating Israeli military operations. These included targeted assassinations and ground assaults in southern Lebanon.

“Gaza is left alone,” said Hatem Mohamed, a Gaza City resident. “This allows Israel to focus solely on Palestinians and what remains of our cause.”

Deadlock in Gaza Ceasefire Talks

Efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza have stagnated. Mediators like Qatar, once instrumental in negotiations, have withdrawn, closing Hamas’ political office in Doha due to a lack of good-faith discussions. Turkey, a known ally of Hamas, denied reports of hosting a new Hamas bureau, though it acknowledged the group’s officials travel there frequently.

According to Tahani Mustafa, a senior Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group, the dynamics in Gaza remain unchanged despite Lebanon’s ceasefire. “Both sides hold demands that are irreconcilable. Israel seeks to dismantle Hamas and maintain military presence, while Hamas demands an end to hostilities, the return of displaced people, and no Israeli troops on the ground.”

Netanyahu and Biden: Divergent Goals

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at improved conditions for a hostage deal, he remains adamant about continuing military operations until Hamas is dismantled. “Ending the war is not an option until Hamas is eliminated,” he said, rejecting any permanent ceasefire for now.

President Joe Biden, however, sees a potential opening for renewed negotiations, emphasizing cooperation with regional powers like Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. “We aim to secure a ceasefire, release hostages, and end the war without Hamas in power,” Biden stated.

Hamas and Gaza: Struggles Persist

Despite public support for ceasefire efforts, Hamas maintains firm conditions, including Israel’s complete withdrawal and the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, the leverage Hamas holds—hostages taken during the October 7 attacks—has dwindled. Of the 101 hostages reportedly still in Gaza, at least 34 are presumed dead, further weakening Hamas’ bargaining position.

Jihad Abu Yasser, a baker from northern Gaza, expressed frustration. “We’ve lost leverage. If this war continues, the remaining hostages could die, leaving us negotiating with nothing.”

A Growing Sense of Despair

The prolonged conflict has left many Gazans feeling hopeless. Abu Yasser summarized the sentiment: “People believed a Lebanon ceasefire meant hope for us, but those were lies. For the love of God, stop this war.”

This escalating despair underscores the dire need for meaningful intervention to end the suffering of those caught in the crossfire.

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