President Donald Trump recently made a bold proposal during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, suggesting that Gaza should become the “Riviera of the Middle East” by transferring millions of Palestinians out of the war-torn enclave and making it a U.S. territory. This proposal, which some speculate could be the most radical U.S. policy shift on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent history, has sparked widespread condemnation and concerns about potential breaches of international law.

Trump’s plan entails the U.S. taking over Gaza, leading its reconstruction, and potentially deploying U.S. troops to the region. He envisions relocating the 1.8 million Palestinians still living in Gaza to neighboring countries, while demolishing remaining buildings to create economic development and job opportunities. However, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and several countries, including Jordan, Egypt, China, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, have strongly rejected the proposal.

The idea also challenges the traditional two-state solution for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as it focuses on transforming Gaza without a clear plan for statehood. Critics argue that forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza would be immoral and lack legal basis, potentially leading to dire consequences for the affected population. The proposal has elicited strong reactions from Palestinians, who fear the ramifications of such a drastic plan.

The origins of Trump’s Gaza proposal can be traced back to Jared Kushner, his former senior advisor with close ties to Israel, who reportedly influenced the development of the plan. While Trump’s vision for Gaza remains controversial and faces significant opposition, it underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.