Trump proposes U.S. control of Gaza despite Arab opposition

Trump suggests turning Gaza into a U.S.-controlled resort, but Jordan and other Arab nations reject displacement of Palestinians.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Jordan's King Abdullah as Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein sits in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., on February 11, 2025. Photo by Nathan Howard/Reuters

By Clarisa Sendy and Adelina Indah

President Donald Trump hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday, where he reaffirmed his controversial idea of U.S. control over Gaza, envisioning the war-torn territory as a redeveloped tourist destination. The proposal, which includes relocating Gazans to neighboring Arab countries, has drawn sharp criticism from Middle Eastern leaders, including Abdullah.

The Jordanian king, after meeting with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reiterated that his country would not accept an influx of Palestinians from Gaza. "I reiterated Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank," Abdullah posted on X after the meeting. He emphasized that the focus should be on rebuilding Gaza without forcing Palestinians to leave.

Trump’s vision: A U.S.-controlled “Riviera of the Middle East”

Trump has repeatedly suggested that Gaza could be emptied of its residents and transformed into a high-end tourist destination under U.S. control. During his meeting with Abdullah, he again floated the idea, suggesting that the U.S. would not need to invest funds but could still oversee redevelopment.

“We’re not going to buy anything. We’re going to have it,” Trump stated, implying that American control over Gaza would not require direct financial commitments. He envisioned new hotels, office buildings, and residential areas, stating, “I can tell you about real estate. They’re going to be in love with it.”

Despite Trump’s insistence, Abdullah and other Arab leaders remain firmly opposed to the idea. The king refrained from directly commenting on Trump’s proposal but made it clear that Jordan’s position on Palestinian displacement had not changed.

The growing regional opposition to Trump’s Gaza plan

Jordan is home to more than 2 million Palestinians, and the idea of absorbing more refugees from Gaza has been strongly rejected by the Jordanian government. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi recently called Trump’s proposal “firmly and unwaveringly opposed,” emphasizing that it could undermine the long-term goal of a two-state solution.

Egypt, another key U.S. ally in the region, has also expressed security concerns about taking in large numbers of displaced Palestinians. Both Jordan and Egypt fear that any mass displacement could destabilize their countries and set a dangerous precedent for the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Trump contradicts himself on U.S. aid leverage

During his discussion with Abdullah, Trump suggested he would not use U.S. aid as leverage to force Jordan or Egypt to accept displaced Palestinians. “I don’t have to threaten that. I do believe we’re above that,” he said. However, this contradicts his previous statements, where he hinted that withholding aid from Washington was a possibility if Arab nations refused to comply.

Jordan and Egypt are among the largest recipients of U.S. foreign aid, and any suggestion of cutting assistance has been met with resistance from both nations.

Trump’s stance on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Beyond his proposals for Gaza, Trump also addressed the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He warned that the truce could collapse if Hamas failed to release all remaining hostages by midday on Saturday.

“I don’t think they’re going to make the deadline, personally,” Trump said. “They want to play tough guy. We’ll see how tough they are.”

Hamas quickly condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “racist” and an endorsement of ethnic cleansing. The group accused him of attempting to “liquidate the Palestinian cause” and deny Palestinian national rights.

Trump’s broader Middle East strategy

Trump’s comments on Gaza come as he continues to push for an unconventional approach to Middle East peace. His suggestion of a temporary or permanent displacement of Gazans has been widely criticized, not only by Arab nations but also by international observers who see it as a violation of Palestinian rights.

His plan also raises legal and logistical questions about how the U.S. could take control of Gaza without significant financial or military involvement. Initially, Trump did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to help secure the region, though he later insisted that American funds would not be used for reconstruction.

The political fallout of Trump’s Gaza proposal

Trump’s vision for Gaza has sparked intense debate, both domestically and internationally. While his supporters view it as a bold approach to Middle East policy, critics argue that it disregards Palestinian sovereignty and could lead to further instability in the region.

Jordan’s rejection of the plan underscores the broader Arab consensus against forced displacement. As tensions in Gaza remain high and ceasefire negotiations continue, Trump’s controversial proposal is likely to face even stronger resistance from regional leaders and international organizations.

The coming weeks will determine whether Trump continues to push for his Gaza redevelopment vision or shifts his focus amid growing diplomatic pushback.

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