Trump's Proposal on Gaza and Middle East Policy Shift

Trump’s Proposal on Gaza and Middle East Policy Shift

U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a plan for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip, temporarily relocate its Palestinian residents to neighboring countries.

Table of Contents

Context: U.S. President Donald Trump announced a radical policy shift on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, proposing that the United States take over the Gaza Strip.

Key Proposals of US President

Palestinians Should Leave Gaza

Trump suggested Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab states should accept Gazan refugees.
Claimed that Palestinians would not want to return as Gaza had become a “demolition site”.
He also stated that he could convince Jordan and Egypt to accept displaced Palestinians.

S. to ‘Take Over’ Gaza

Declared that the S. would “own” Gaza and be responsible for:
- Clearing unexploded bombs and weapons.
- Developing Gaza economically, calling it the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
- Creating thousands of jobs to make it a model of prosperity.

Return of ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran

Trump signed an executive order to reimpose maximum pressure sanctions on Iran.
Re-designated the Yemeni Houthis as a terrorist organization.

Fact

The “maximum pressure” policy is a strategy where a country applies heavy economic and diplomatic sanctions to force another nation to change its behaviour.
The goal is to force Iran to halt its nuclear activities and curb its influence in the region.

Widespread Global Opposition

Saudi Arabia: Rejected the proposal, reaffirming its long-standing support for an independent Palestinian state.
European & Global Leaders: Australia, Ireland, Germany, China, and New Zealand rejected Trump’s plan and reiterated support for a two-state solution.
Turkey: Forced deportations of Palestinians were unacceptable.
Palestinian Authority: President Mahmoud Abbas urged the UN to protect Palestinian rights, calling Trump’s plan a violation of international law.

Why Are Egypt and Jordan Rejecting Trump’s Proposal?

Jordan’s Strong Resistance

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry warned in September 2024 that any attempt to resettle Palestinians in Jordan would be considered a declaration of war.

Demographic & Political Risks

Jordan already hosts over 2 million Palestinian refugees (1 in 5 people).
The rise of Palestinian nationalist groups (e.g., the Muslim Brotherhood-linked Islamic Action Front (IAF)) threatens Jordan’s monarchy.
The 2024 Jordanian elections saw the IAF win 31 seats—its largest victory since 1992, partly due to its pro-Hamas stance.

Egypt’s Concerns

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood since 2013, fearing Islamist movements could gain influence.
Accepting displaced Palestinians could strengthen opposition forces.