During a flight to the Super Bowl, former President Donald Trump expressed strong opposition to allowing Palestinians and residents of Gaza to return, stating, “it’s a big mistake” and emphasising a desire to ensure Hamas does not regain control. He likened Gaza to a “demolition site,” envisioning it as an area to be “levelled out” and reconstructed, proposing that the US would take ownership and “slowly” develop it to foster stability in the Middle East.
Trump suggested that other Middle Eastern nations could accommodate displaced Palestinians in “beautiful sites” and described his vision for Gaza as a new “Riviera.” This concept was initially shared at a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
With 90% of Gaza’s population displaced amid ongoing conflict, the international response has been largely negative, marking a departure from established US foreign policy. The topic is expected to be discussed during an upcoming meeting with the Jordanian king. Trump’s National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, indicated that these proposals aim to prompt regional leaders to bring their ideas to the table, urging them to present alternatives to Trump’s vision.