Trump doesn’t rule out US military action
When asked about how he planned to relocate the people living in the war-torn region and whether he intended to send US troops to assist, he responded: “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that.”
He added: “I do see a long-term ownership position and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East.”
“Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.”
“I’ve studied this very closely over a lot of months.”
Trump didn’t clarify the legal grounds for implementing his plans.
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, echoed Trump’s intentions on Twitter, saying: “The United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again. Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people.”
‘Ethnic cleansing by another name’
The proposal has faced strong backlash from human rights groups, with many comparing it to “ethnic cleansing under a different name.”
Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic senator from Maryland, expressed his concerns, saying: “Trump’s proposal to push 2 million Palestinians out of Gaza and take ‘ownership’ by force, if necessary, is simply ethnic cleansing by another name. This declaration will give ammunition to Iran and other adversaries while undermining our Arab partners in the region. It defies decades of bipartisan American support for a two-state solution… Congress must stand up to this dangerous and reckless scheme.”
Additionally, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy organization, released a statement condemning the plan, saying: “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States, and President Trump’s call to expel Palestinians from their land is an absolute non-starter. If the Palestinian people were ever somehow forcibly expelled from Gaza, this crime against humanity would spark widespread conflict, put the final nail in the coffin of international law, and destroy what remains of our nation’s international image and standing.”
