The United States’ envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, stated on Thursday that former President Donald Trump’s recent proposal for Gaza was not aimed at displacing Palestinians but rather at fostering discussions on creating a better future for them. His remarks came after Trump’s controversial suggestion on February 4 that the United States should take control of Gaza, with Palestinians being resettled in other countries, including Egypt and Jordan—a proposal that triggered international criticism.
Trump’s statement, which he made during a campaign event, reignited fierce debates on the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many saw it as an extreme departure from traditional diplomatic efforts, raising concerns about the rights of Palestinians and the broader implications for Middle East stability.
The idea of resettling Palestinians outside Gaza was widely condemned by Palestinian leaders, human rights organizations, and several international governments. The Palestinian Authority called it “a blatant attempt at ethnic cleansing,” while Egypt and Jordan, both key U.S. allies in the region, firmly rejected any suggestion that they would absorb displaced Palestinians.
Despite the backlash, Witkoff defended Trump’s comments at a Miami conference organized by the FII Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on economic and geopolitical discussions. According to Reuters, Witkoff emphasized that Trump’s remarks were meant to challenge conventional approaches rather than advocate for forced displacement.
Gaza Conversation
Witkoff argued that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas had left much of Gaza in ruins, making it difficult for residents to return to a normal life. He described the territory as “littered with unexploded ordnance” and in need of extensive rebuilding before people could safely resettle.
“It’s going to take a lot of clean-up and imagination, and a great master plan, and that doesn’t mean we’re on an eviction plan when the President talks about this,” Witkoff stated at the Miami event.
Instead, he claimed that Trump’s remarks were intended to provoke new thinking on what would be best for the Palestinian people. “For instance, do they want to live in a home there, or would they rather have an opportunity to resettle in some sort of better place, to have jobs, upside, and financial prospects?” he added.
His comments suggested that Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future involved considering alternative solutions to long-standing issues, including economic opportunities outside the war-torn enclave. However, critics argue that framing resettlement as an “opportunity” rather than forced displacement is misleading, given the historical context of Palestinian displacement since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
Trump’s proposal immediately sparked outrage from Palestinian leaders, who rejected any notion of resettlement. A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority called it “a dangerous and unacceptable violation of Palestinian rights,” emphasizing that Palestinians “have a right to return and remain on their land, not to be expelled under the guise of opportunity.”
Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza, also condemned the idea, calling it “a Zionist-American conspiracy to erase the Palestinian identity and claim our land for Israel.”
Egypt and Jordan, the two Arab states that have signed peace treaties with Israel, also swiftly dismissed the proposal. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said, “Egypt will never accept any scenario in which Palestinians are forcibly displaced into our territory,” while Jordan’s Foreign Ministry stated, “Any suggestion that Jordan should absorb Palestinians is completely rejected.”
Even U.S. allies in Europe voiced concerns. A spokesperson for the European Union said, “A solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be based on international law and a negotiated two-state solution, not population transfers or forced resettlement.”
Gaza War
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has left Gaza in a state of devastation, with tens of thousands of civilians killed or wounded and over a million displaced. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies exacerbating the crisis.
Israel has justified its military operations as necessary to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure and prevent future attacks, particularly after the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault that killed over 1,200 Israelis. However, the international community has increasingly expressed concern over the scale of destruction and civilian casualties in Gaza.
In this context, Trump’s proposal was seen by many as an attempt to offer an alternative future for the region, though its feasibility and ethical implications remain highly contentious.
Trump’s Foreign Policy
Trump’s stance on Gaza reflects his broader approach to Middle East policy, which was characterized by strong support for Israel and a willingness to challenge traditional diplomatic frameworks. His administration brokered the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, but also controversially moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and cut aid to Palestinian organizations.
As he campaigns for the 2024 presidential election, Trump has leaned heavily into foreign policy discussions, particularly regarding the Middle East. His supporters view him as a leader who prioritizes American interests and is unafraid to propose unconventional solutions, while his critics argue that his policies often ignore the complexities of international law and human rights.
While Trump’s proposal has little chance of becoming official U.S. policy—especially under the Biden administration—it has reignited debates about the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Diplomatic efforts remain focused on securing a ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, and addressing long-term political solutions. The Biden administration has called for a two-state solution but has also faced criticism for its handling of the crisis.
For now, the fate of Gaza remains uncertain, and Trump’s comments serve as a reminder of how deeply divided opinions remain on one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
Trump’s suggestion that Gaza could be resettled in other countries has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders, international organizations, and U.S. allies. While his envoy Steven Witkoff attempted to clarify that the comments were meant to encourage fresh thinking rather than eviction, the backlash highlights the deep sensitivities surrounding the issue.
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to dominate global headlines, the debate over Gaza’s future remains as contentious as ever. Whether Trump’s proposal was a political maneuver or a genuine attempt at problem-solving, it has undoubtedly added another layer of complexity to an already fraught situation.
