Trump says Israel will hand over Gaza to US after fighting ends

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again floated the idea of the United States taking over the Gaza Strip, despite his administration officials appearing to contradict his earlier statements. Trump stated on Thursday that Israel would hand over the Gaza Strip to the United States after the fighting ends, suggesting a significant shift in regional responsibility.

Trump reiterated that this idea implies the resettlement of Palestinians and would not require American soldiers. However, Trump's resettlement plan has drawn accusations of ethnic cleansing and has been condemned by the United Nations, human rights organizations, and Arab leaders. Analysts have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of this plan, questioning its practicality and potential impact.

Trump's officials had previously indicated that any relocation would be temporary. Trump wrote on Truth Social that under his plan, Gazans "will be resettled into safer and more beautiful communities in the region, with new modern homes." The United States would participate in efforts to rebuild the enclave, signaling a potential role in the region's future. But his post did not explicitly state whether the 2 million residents of the Palestinian territory would be invited to return.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated on Wednesday that any displacement would be temporary. Secretary of State Rubio also commented on the same day, saying that the idea was for Gazans to leave the territory for a period of time during the clearing of debris and reconstruction. These views contradict Trump's initial remarks. Trump stated on Tuesday, when proposing to develop Gaza into a "Middle East Riviera," that the displacement of Palestinians would be permanent, raising concerns about long-term implications.

Trump said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, "The United States will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do that job well." Netanyahu called the idea "worth looking at." The New York Times, citing four people familiar with the matter, reported that the announcement even surprised Trump's senior aides due to the lack of planning surrounding the idea. Trump reiterated on Thursday that no American soldiers would be needed, which is more consistent with Leavitt's statement that the United States has not committed to sending "ground troops," clarifying the potential U.S. involvement.

Turning to the Middle East issue, Trump stated that he hopes "his greatest legacy will be to be known as a peacemaker and unifier." The 15-month-long fighting has rendered the Gaza Strip, a territory 41 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide, almost uninhabitable. The entire area has been razed, and agricultural land that once housed greenhouses has been turned into sand and rubble, highlighting the extent of the devastation.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that it may take 21 years to clear and process all the debris. It called the water and sanitation systems "almost completely paralyzed," warned that garbage is piling up around camps and shelters, and emphasized that chemicals from destroyed solar panels and ammunition in use could contaminate soil and water supplies, posing significant environmental and health risks.

According to UN agencies, more than 50 million tons of debris have accumulated due to the destruction. The Israeli military launched an operation to destroy Hamas in response to the unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. According to the health ministry of the Hamas-run territory, more than 47,550 people have died and 111,600 have been injured in Gaza since then, underscoring the devastating human cost of the conflict.