An IMGW News Report
US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States would “take over” the Gaza Strip and called for the permanent resettlement of Palestinians in countries such as Egypt and Jordan. This marks his clearest indication yet that he supports large-scale displacement from the war-torn enclave.
Speaking at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump insisted that all Palestinians in Gaza should be resettled. He asserted that the US would assume control of the territory, removing unexploded ordnance and other remnants of war.
When asked if he would deploy American troops to Gaza, Trump responded that the US would “do what is necessary,” develop the area, and create thousands of jobs.
His remarks signal a sharp break from longstanding US policy and have sparked alarm among Arab states. Egypt and Jordan, key US allies in the region, have already rejected the notion of relocating Palestinians, recalling historical instances of mass displacement, particularly the 1948 Nakba.
Western nations, which have traditionally supported a two-state solution, are also expected to oppose such a plan. Nonetheless, Trump defended his stance, describing Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggesting that financial resources could be used to create new communities for displaced Palestinians elsewhere.
The Gaza Strip has a population of approximately 2.4 million people, including around 1.6 million Palestinian refugees. For at least the past decade and a half, Gaza’s socioeconomic situation has been in steady decline, exacerbated by recent Israeli military attacks. As of January 2025, more than 45,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been reported killed, with over 110,000 injured.
The meeting also covered broader regional security concerns. Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, Trump signed a memorandum to intensify pressure on Iran, aiming to curb its nuclear ambitions. Although he did not specify which sanctions would be applied, he reiterated that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and hinted at restricting its oil exports.
Netanyahu, who views Iran as Israel’s greatest security threat, is expected to seek US backing for further military action against Tehran, as tensions between the two nations remain high.
