Watch: US backtracks as Trump’s Gaza plan triggers global outcry

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump faced widespread backlash after his proposal to take control of Gaza sparked global condemnation, with the United Nations cautioning against what it described as “ethnic cleansing” in the Palestinian territory.

Amid criticism from Palestinian officials, Arab nations, and international leaders, Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to clarify the stance, stating that any relocation of Gazans would be temporary. Meanwhile, the White House stressed that there was no intention of deploying U.S. troops.

Despite the controversy, Trump defended the plan, stating “everybody loves” it during a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His remarks drew audible gasps from those present.

Providing few specifics on how the U.S. intended to remove over two million Palestinians or govern the war-ravaged enclave, Trump declared, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it.”

Rubio described the proposal as a “generous move” aimed at rebuilding Gaza, rather than an act of aggression. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later emphasized that the U.S. had no plans to finance Gaza’s reconstruction, adding that involvement “does not mean boots on the ground” or financial commitments from American taxpayers.

The United Nations strongly criticized the idea, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighting the fundamental right of Palestinians to remain in their homeland. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, stated that any forced displacement would amount to ethnic cleansing.

The proposal also faced opposition from world leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi deemed any forced displacement of Palestinians unacceptable, warning that such a move would violate international law and destabilize the region. Iran’s Foreign Ministry denounced the plan as a continuation of Israel’s alleged efforts to eradicate the Palestinian people.

Palestinian officials and human rights organizations swiftly condemned the proposal. Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, rejected the plan outright, labeling it as both “racist” and “aggressive.”

Leavitt attempted to soften the controversy by insisting that Trump’s vision involved only a “temporary relocation” of Gazans, arguing that the area was currently “not livable for any human being.”

Amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign following Hamas’s October 2023 attack, much of Gaza has been left in ruins, with schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure severely damaged. Human Rights Watch accused Israel of pursuing a deliberate strategy to render Gaza uninhabitable.

The organization’s regional director, Lama Fakih, warned that Trump’s proposal could shift the U.S. from being “complicit in war crimes to a direct perpetrator of atrocities.”

Although Trump hinted at the possibility of visiting Gaza, his remarks suggested the territory would not necessarily be restored for Palestinian resettlement. However, Leavitt later clarified that he expected Egypt, Jordan, and other nations to temporarily accept Palestinian refugees to facilitate the reconstruction of their homeland.

Despite Trump’s proposals, many Palestinians remained resolute in their determination to stay. “They can do whatever they want, but we will remain steadfast in our homeland,” said Gaza resident Ahmed Halasa.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu praised Trump, calling him Israel’s “greatest friend” and commending his “willingness to think outside the box.” In a Fox News interview, he described the proposal as “remarkable” and “the first good idea that I’ve heard.”

Netanyahu also suggested that any potential relocation of Gazans would not be permanent. “They can leave, they can then come back, they can relocate and come back, but you have to rebuild Gaza,” he stated.