- Trump reversed his stance on Gaza, stating "nobody is expelling any Palestinians" despite earlier comments about population removal.
- The president's original "Riviera" plan faced widespread condemnation for promoting forced displacement of Gaza's 1.8 million residents.
- Arab states recently proposed a $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza that wouldn't displace Palestinians.
- The White House rejected the Arab proposal while maintaining Trump's vision for a Hamas-free Gaza.
- Tensions are growing between the U.S. and Israel over direct American negotiations with Hamas.
President Donald Trump made a significant policy reversal Wednesday, declaring that "nobody is expelling any Palestinians" from Gaza, seemingly abandoning his controversial proposal from earlier this year that had sparked international condemnation for what critics called ethnic cleansing rhetoric.
The president's remarks came ahead of a White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, where Trump firmly stated, "We are not expelling anyone from the Gaza Strip." This statement marks a departure from his February comments alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when Trump proposed that the U.S. "take over" Gaza, saying "we will flatten it; 1.8 million need to leave."
Trump's previous vision – transforming Gaza into what he called a "Riviera of the Middle East" after relocating its population – had drawn fierce criticism from humanitarian organizations, international allies, and Arab nations. The plan was widely condemned as promoting forced displacement of an entire civilian population, which would constitute a serious violation of international law.
Arab nations propose alternative reconstruction plan
The president's apparent reversal follows a recent summit in Cairo where Arab states endorsed a $53 billion Egyptian-led reconstruction plan for Gaza. That proposal envisions rebuilding the enclave over six years without displacing Palestinians.
However, the White House rejected the Arab plan last week, with National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes claiming it "does not address the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable." Hughes maintained that Trump "stands by his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas."
The conflicting statements have created confusion about the administration's actual policy position on Gaza's future. In recent weeks, Trump has alternated between forcefully advocating for his "Riviera" plan and suggesting it was merely a recommendation.
"The way to do it is my plan. I think that's the plan that really works. But I'm not forcing it. I'm just going to sit back and recommend it," Trump told Fox News in February after receiving pushback from Egyptian and Jordanian leaders.
Tension with Israel over direct Hamas negotiations
Trump's policy reversal comes amid growing tension with Israeli officials over Washington's direct ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. These talks, led by U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler, have reportedly angered Tel Aviv.
In remarks that particularly provoked Israeli officials, Boehler told CNN, "Look, they don't have horns growing out of their heads; they're actually guys like us; they're pretty nice guys. We're the United States, we're not an agent of Israel. We have specific interests at play."
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded sharply on Israel's Army Radio: "[Boehler] attempted to negotiate the release of American hostages. We made it clear to him that he cannot speak on our behalf, and if he wishes to negotiate on behalf of the United States, then good luck to him."
Despite the diplomatic friction, Netanyahu has previously described Trump's Gaza vision as a "revolutionary, creative vision," suggesting the Israeli leader may have been supportive of the original displacement plan.
Trump's latest position shift has been cautiously welcomed by Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasem, who told CNN the statement is welcomed if it represents a "reversal of the idea of displacing the people of the Gaza strip."
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues with nearly 50,000 Palestinian deaths reported by Gaza's health ministry, Trump's policy reversal represents a significant shift away from what many international observers had condemned as a dangerous proposal that appeared to advocate for the ethnic cleansing of an entire population from their homeland. Though Israel's horrific and inhumane military operations continue with U.S. support, the president's latest statement suggests at least some recognition of the limits of American power to unilaterally reshape the region's demographic landscape.
Sources for this article include:
Please contact us for more information.
