On February 9, 2025 President Donald Trump declared that the United States is "committed to buying and owning Gaza,” as an attempt to bring stability to the area. He proposed the idea to buy the Gaza strip from Israel, aiming to rebuild the land from all the destruction that has resulted from the Israel-Hamas conflict.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first spoke out about their plans during a White House news conference on February 4, 2025. The details were vague, however the general consensus is that the United States will purchase or take control of the Gaza Strip from Israel, then depopulize it, and finally develop the land; believing it will be the “riviera of the Middle East.”
President Trump states that Gaza has become a token of bad luck with its long history of wars, deaths, and destruction. Despite this, he believes the land has great potential. He refers to Gaza as a “demolition site,” and desires to redevelop the land and make it a peaceful, prosperous state.
Given the region’s current inhabitable conditions, Trump’s plan is to displace approximately 2 million of the Palestinian population to the surrounding Arab countries. During their leave, Trump wants to start his project. He defends the idea further by stating that the people who live in Gaza do not do so willingly; and if they were given the opportunity to relocate somewhere better, they would.
Once the Gazans have been moved, President Trump wants to transform Gaza into a thriving economic hub, so there is access to new jobs and housing. He wants to achieve this through investments, development, and partnerships with other countries, such as nations in the Middle East. Due to the United States having relations with countries like Saudi Arabia, Trump is confident they will eventually reach an agreement with his plan.
Once Gaza has been redeveloped, it is uncertain whether the Palestinians will be allowed back. Trump states that their relocation will bring them a better and more peaceful life, in which they won’t want to return. However, he also envisions that the redeveloped land of the Gaza Strip will include the people of the world. “I envision the world people living there, the world’s people. You’ll make that into an international, unbelievable place.” United States President Donald Trump says. He also includes the Palestinians in this statement.
Many of the Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan had expressed their disapproval with the United States owning the Gaza Strip, as well as the displacement of the Palestinians. “At the moment, nobody can take Gaza away from Palestinians, from Gazans. Daring to do something like this, firstly, is a very different threat to world peace.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says. Many other countries share this concern, with Egypt going as far as to contradict Trump’s plan by having constructed their own plan for Gaza that doesn’t require the relocation of Palestinians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in agreement with the plan and is willing to transfer the Gaza Strip to President Donald Trump. However, many are concerned about the specific implications of the United States owning Gaza, including questions about the legality of the United States taking over a sovereign territory, the concern about this violating U.S. policy, and how this project will be financed.
Although President Donald Trump has stated that the project will not be using tax money from the people, it’s not exactly clear how the project will be funded. He clarified that the U.S. will not be purchasing Gaza from Israel “there is nothing to buy” President Donald Trump says. However, the development of the land will still require some sort of financial funding.
As of now, the future of the Gaza Strip remains uncertain. Whether or not the plan goes through, it is evident that problems will soon arise.
