United States President Donald Trump recently unveiled a controversial plan to take control of the Gaza Strip, proposing the forced displacement of Palestinians from the besieged enclave. During a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that Palestinians would “love to leave” Gaza, envisioning long-term U.S. ownership of the territory. He claimed his plan would bring jobs, and economic prosperity, and transform Gaza into theHowever, the proposal has been widely condemned as a potential endorsement of ethnic cleansing, drawing sharp criticism from leaders and organizations worldwide.
International reactions to Trump’s proposal
Trump’s remarks have ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many accusing him of undermining the Palestinian “Riviera of the Middle East.” n rights and international law. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, condemned the plan as “ridiculous and absurd.” Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri warned that such ideas could ignite regional chaos, stating, “The people of Gaza will not allow such plans to pass.” Another Hamas official, Izzat el-Reshiq, called the proposal a dangerous escalation that would “put oil on fire,” emphasizing that Gaza is not a commodity to be bought or sold.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also rejected the plan, reaffirming their commitment to a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. Abbas stated, “We will not allow any infringement of the rights of our people,” calling Trump’s proposal a violation of international law. Similarly, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) warned that the plan threatens regional security and could destabilize neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan.
International leaders and organizations echoed these concerns. Saudi Arabia reiterated its rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians, linking normalization with Israel to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the importance of rebuilding Gaza without displacing its residents. Jordan’s King Abdullah II also rejected the proposal, stressing the need to halt Israeli settlement expansion and land annexation.
European nations joined the chorus of condemnation. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that expelling Palestinians would be unacceptable and contrary to international law. France’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called the plan a “major destabilizing factor” for the region, while Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares affirmed that Gaza belongs to its people and must remain part of a future Palestinian state.
U.S. and gobal criticism of Trump’s Plan
Within the United States, Trump’s proposal faced bipartisan criticism. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy called the idea of a U.S. invasion of Gaza a “bad, sick joke,” warning it could lead to decades of war and the slaughter of U.S. troops. Senator Chris Van Hollen described the plan as “ethnic cleansing by another name,” arguing it would undermine U.S. allies and embolden adversaries like Iran. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American Democrat, accused Trump of promoting “fanatical bullshit” and called on Congress to reject funding for such policies.
Global organizations also weighed in. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Trump’s call to expel Palestinians, warning it would spark widespread conflict and damage the U.S.’s international standing. Amnesty International’s U.S. executive director, Paul O’Brien, stated that removing Palestinians from Gaza would “destroy them as a people,” emphasizing that Gaza is their home.
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Russia and China joined the criticism, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing Israel of planning to displace Palestinians and rejecting collective punishment. China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its support for a two-state solution, opposing any forced transfer of Gaza’s population. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called Trump’s comments “unacceptable,” warning that excluding Palestinians from the equation would lead to more conflict.
Even the United Nations special rapporteur on Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, condemned the plan as “unlawful, immoral, and completely irresponsible,” warning it would exacerbate the regional crisis. She called for the international community to isolate the U.S. over the proposal.
In summary, Trump’s plan to take control of Gaza and displace its Palestinian population has been met with widespread condemnation, both domestically and internationally. Critics argue that the proposal violates international law, undermines the two-state solution, and risks destabilizing the Middle East. As global leaders and organizations rally against the plan, the future of Gaza remains a contentious and deeply polarizing issue.
