On February 4, 2025, Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for the first time in his second term. Instead of focusing on diplomacy, he made a shocking proposal: The United States should take control of Gaza and permanently remove all Palestinians living there.
Trump’s Controversial Plan
During a press conference, Trump called Gaza a “hellish environment” and insisted Palestinians must leave—not just temporarily, but forever. He suggested they could move to “beautiful areas” with homes and safety. However, he didn’t specify where they would go. He only mentioned “numerous sites” or “one large site” outside of Gaza.
Trump also claimed neighboring countries would help fund this plan. He even said U.S. troops could be used to enforce it.
Earlier, Trump suggested relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, but both countries firmly rejected the idea. Still, he insisted that other Middle Eastern leaders supported his vision.
When asked if displaced Palestinians could ever return, he scoffed:
“Why would they want to return? The place has been hell.”
Trump dodged questions about a two-state solution. Instead, he focused on his plan to remove Palestinians permanently. He and Netanyahu also discussed normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi leaders have made it clear that Palestinian statehood must come first.
A Step Toward Ethnic Cleansing?
Critics argue Trump’s plan amounts to ethnic cleansing. Forcing an entire population out of its homeland paves the way for Israeli control. His comments have sparked global outrage, with many warning this could escalate tensions even further.
Despite the backlash, Trump remains firm. He calls his idea a “strong recommendation” that would supposedly bring peace. But for Palestinians, his vision isn’t peace—it’s displacement.