Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked international condemnation following his alarming proposal to “take over” Gaza while forcibly relocating Palestinians—a move critics warn amounts to ethnic cleansing.
During a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that Palestinians would “love to leave” Gaza and claimed the U.S. would assume control of the besieged enclave during reconstruction efforts. His remarks have ignited a firestorm of criticism from world leaders, human rights groups, and political figures, with many viewing the plan as a blatant violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri slammed Trump’s remarks, calling them “ridiculous and absurd.” He warned that any attempt to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza would only fuel further unrest.
“These statements reflect deep ignorance about Palestine and the region,” added Hamas leader Izzat el-Reshiq. “Gaza is not a piece of real estate to be bought and sold.”
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) denounced any efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians. PLO Secretary-General Hussein al-Sheikh reaffirmed that a two-state solution remains the only path to peace and stability.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas echoed this sentiment, stating that “we will not allow any infringement of the rights of our people, which we have struggled for decades to achieve.” He described Trump’s plan as a “serious violation of international law” and reiterated the demand for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its stance that normalizing ties with Israel would be impossible without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Saudi foreign ministry condemned any attempts to displace Palestinians, emphasizing its “unequivocal rejection” of settlement expansion, annexation, or forced expulsion.
Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s envoy to the United Nations, ridiculed Trump’s rhetoric and demanded that Palestinians be allowed to return to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel.
“For those who want to send Palestinians to a ‘nice place,’ let them return to their original homes,” he said, using Trump’s own words against him.
The backlash extended to Washington, where Democratic Senators issued strong rebukes:
- Sen. Chris Murphy: “He’s totally lost it. A U.S. invasion of Gaza would lead to the slaughter of thousands of U.S. troops and decades of war.”
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen: “This is ethnic cleansing by another name. Congress must stand up to this dangerous and reckless scheme.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) blasted Trump’s remarks, stating, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States. Forcibly expelling Palestinians would be a crime against humanity that shatters international law.”
As outrage mounts, Trump’s remarks threaten to destabilize not only Gaza but the entire Middle East. With concerns that such a plan would embolden Israel’s military actions and further isolate the U.S. on the global stage, world leaders are now watching closely to see how Washington responds.
The fate of Gaza hangs in the balance, and as calls for accountability grow louder, the international community must decide how to confront the dangerous precedent Trump’s plan sets for Palestinian sovereignty and human rights.