President Donald Trump has sparked international controversy with his latest remarks, declaring that he is committed to having the United States “buy and own” Gaza. Speaking aboard Air Force One while en route to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Trump outlined a vision that would see the enclave fully demolished and potentially rebuilt with assistance from Middle Eastern states.
His comments reinforced his administration’s position that Hamas must never return to power in Gaza. “There’s nothing to move back into,” Trump stated. “The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished. Everything’s demolished.”
Trump also hinted at the possibility of allowing some Palestinian refugees to enter the United States, though he emphasized that any such cases would be reviewed individually.
His remarks triggered swift condemnation from Palestinian leaders. Ezzat El Rashq, a senior member of Hamas’ political bureau, denounced the proposal, vowing that Palestinians would resist all efforts at displacement. The U.S. president’s stance has also fueled tensions over the ongoing hostage negotiations, with Trump expressing frustration at the slow pace of hostage releases.
“They look like Holocaust survivors,” Trump said, referring to recently freed Israeli captives. “They were in horrible condition. They were emaciated. I don’t know how much longer we can take that … at some point, we’re going to lose our patience.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has embraced Trump’s proposal, calling it a “revolutionary, creative approach.” Speaking at a cabinet meeting after returning from Washington, Netanyahu praised the U.S. president’s vision as a significant shift in policy.
However, Trump’s suggestion that Gaza’s more than two million Palestinian residents could be relocated to other countries has met strong opposition from Egypt and Jordan. Both nations rejected his calls to resettle displaced Palestinians and dismissed the notion that the U.S. could assume control over the territory. Trump, however, remains confident that regional leaders will eventually accept his plan.
In an interview with Fox News, Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed that Trump is set to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, with a possible meeting also planned with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The White House has also announced that Jordan’s King Abdullah II will visit Washington on Tuesday for discussions with Trump.
The controversy deepened when Netanyahu suggested in an Israeli television interview that Saudi Arabia could create a Palestinian state within its borders, given its vast land resources. The Saudi Foreign Ministry swiftly rejected this notion, accusing Israel of “continuous crimes” and “ethnic cleansing” against the Palestinian people.
In a statement of solidarity, UAE Minister of State Khalifa Al Marar reaffirmed that Saudi sovereignty was a “red line” that must not be crossed.
As the geopolitical fallout intensifies, Trump’s proposal has further complicated diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has reiterated that there will be no formal ties with Israel without a recognized Palestinian state—an issue that remains at the heart of regional instability.
With Trump preparing for high-profile meetings with Arab leaders, the coming days may determine whether his vision for Gaza gains traction or deepens the growing rift between the U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies.