By Muhsin Ibrahim
In a recent press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial plan for the United States to assume control over the Gaza Strip.
The proposal includes relocating Gaza’s roughly two million Palestinian residents to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan to transform the territory into a thriving economic hub, potentially named the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump emphasised the economic potential of the initiative, arguing that U.S. oversight would bring stability and prosperity to the region. He also suggested the possible deployment of American forces to maintain order during the transition.
The plan has been widely condemned. Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, have rejected it, warning of its implications for international law and regional security.
Human rights organisations have also strongly criticised the initiative, calling it a form of ethnic cleansing that could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was present at the press conference, expressed support for the plan, saying it aligns with Israel’s security interests. However, international opposition and legal challenges may hinder the proposal’s feasibility.
As the debate over Trump’s plan intensifies, world leaders and analysts continue to scrutinise its potential consequences for regional stability and the rights of the Palestinian people.