President Trump’s Plan to ‘Buy and Own’ Gaza Sparks Outrage from Palestinian Authorities and Global Leaders
President Donald Trump has expressed his commitment to “buy and own” the Gaza Strip, despite widespread condemnation from Palestinian leaders, human rights organisations, and international allies. Trump, who revealed the proposal last week, suggested that the US could take control of Gaza and relocate the two million Palestinians living there, with potential involvement from Middle Eastern nations in rebuilding parts of the territory.
Trump stated he would ensure that Palestinian refugees would “live beautifully” and in peace, and hinted that Gaza could be redeveloped for future use. However, neither the US nor any other country has clarified how the US would “buy” Gaza or from whom it would purchase the territory.
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas strongly rejected the proposal, with both stating that Palestinian land is not for sale. A Hamas official called the plan “absurd,” emphasising that Gaza is “an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land.” Similarly, the Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry condemned the idea, labelling it as a “distraction from political solutions.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, praised Trump’s proposal, describing it as “revolutionary” and better for Israel’s interests. Netanyahu remarked that Trump’s vision opens up many possibilities for Israel, differing from the longstanding idea that the Palestinian Authority should take control of Gaza post-conflict.
The plan has drawn widespread criticism from international leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called it a “scandal,” arguing that relocating a population is not only unacceptable but also a violation of international law. Human rights organisations have also warned against any forced transfer of people from occupied territories, stating it is prohibited under international law.
Trump’s comments come amid a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, with the region still recovering from a devastating 16-month conflict. Gaza has faced severe destruction, with much of its infrastructure in ruins. Nearly 70% of buildings are damaged or destroyed, and residents are suffering from a lack of essential services like healthcare, water, and food.
The US president expressed hope that neighbouring Egypt and Jordan would assist in managing the refugee crisis, despite their previous rejections of his appeals to resettle refugees in their countries. Talks with the leaders of these nations are expected to take place soon.
Trump’s remarks continue to raise alarm among Palestinian refugees who fear a repeat of the Nakba of 1948, when large numbers of Palestinians were displaced. Many of those who fled then ended up in Gaza, which remains a key focus of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
