Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): Donald Trump's recent comments about the future of Gaza have stirred significant controversy.
In an interview to Fox News, he proposed a plan where Palestinians who leave Gaza would not be allowed to return, suggesting they would be relocated to safer areas outside the conflict zone.
Trump framed the idea as a real estate development, describing the land as a "beautiful piece" that could be transformed into livable spaces for displaced Palestinians.
He argued that, in the long term, the area could be made habitable, but suggested that returning to Gaza would be impossible for years due to the extent of the damage.
The former president expressed confidence that he could negotiate with neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt, offering financial incentives to settle Palestinian refugees.
However, this proposal has been rejected by both of those nations, as well as by Palestinian leaders, who argue that such plans ignore their rights and aspirations for a state of their own.
The backlash comes amid a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, after months of brutal conflict that has devastated the region, leaving large portions of Gaza in ruins and causing widespread loss of life and displacement.
Trump’s remarks also echo sentiments previously voiced by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who had spoken about the potential of Gaza’s Mediterranean coastline as a "valuable" property, though his comments were also heavily criticized.
As the war continues to leave countless Palestinians in dire conditions, with food, water, and medical supplies in short supply, many view Trump’s plan as unrealistic and dismissive of the severity of the crisis.
The situation is further complicated by international legal challenges, including war crime charges against Israeli officials and accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
