JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON — On Thursday (Feb 6), US President Donald Trump stated that Israel would transfer control of Gaza to the United States after the fighting ended, and once its population had been resettled elsewhere, eliminating the need for US troops to be stationed there.

The day following global backlash to Trump’s declaration that he intended to turn the Gaza Strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” Israel instructed its military to prepare for the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from Gaza.

Previously hesitant about deploying US troops to Gaza, Trump clarified his stance on his Truth Social platform, stating, “Israel would hand over the Gaza Strip to the US after the fighting ends.” He continued, saying Palestinians would be relocated to safer, more attractive communities, complete with new homes. “No US soldiers would be needed!” he added.

Amid strong support in Israel for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed as Trump’s “remarkable” plan, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the army would prepare a strategy allowing Gaza residents who wished to leave to do so voluntarily.

“I support President Trump’s bold plan. Gaza residents should be allowed to leave and emigrate freely, as is the standard globally,” Katz stated on X.

The plan would offer exit routes by land, sea, and air.

Trump, a former real-estate mogul-turned-politician, caused uproar across the Middle East with his unexpected announcement on Tuesday, coinciding with anticipated ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha, which aimed to pave the way for an Israeli withdrawal, further hostage releases, and the end of a nearly 16-month conflict.

Saudi Arabia dismissed the proposal, and King Abdullah of Jordan, who will meet Trump at the White House next week, also rejected any attempt to annex land or displace Palestinians.

Egypt joined the opposition, stating it would not participate in any initiative aimed at displacing Palestinians from Gaza, a sentiment echoed by Gaza residents.

“We won’t sell our land to you, real estate developer. We may be hungry, homeless, and desperate, but we are not collaborators,” declared Abdel Ghani, a father of four living in the ruins of his Gaza City home. “If Trump wants to help, he should come and rebuild here.”

It remains uncertain whether Trump will proceed with his proposal or whether his announcement is a negotiation tactic, given his history of bold foreign policy statements that were not always acted upon during his first term (2017-2021).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Thursday, clarifying that people would need to be relocated temporarily while Gaza is rebuilt. However, he did not specify if those displaced could return to Gaza once the redevelopment was complete.

Rubio is reportedly planning a visit to the Middle East in mid-February, with stops in Israel, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

The impact of Trump’s unexpected proposal on ongoing ceasefire talks remains unclear. Of the 33 Israeli hostages expected to be released, only 13 have been freed, with three more expected on Saturday. Five Thai hostages have also been released.

Hamas official Basem Naim criticized Israel’s defense minister, accusing him of attempting to cover up Israel’s military failures and stating that Palestinians are too deeply connected to their land to leave.

Displacement of Palestinians remains one of the most contentious issues in the Middle East. Forced displacement under military occupation is prohibited under the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Details of how such a plan would unfold remain unclear. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized the need for fresh thinking about Gaza’s future, but stressed that any departures must be voluntary and that receiving countries must be willing to accept the displaced.

“We don’t have specifics yet, but we can discuss principles,” Saar remarked in a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani. “Everything must be based on the free will of the individual and the willingness of a state to accept them.”

Several far-right Israeli politicians have publicly called for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, and Trump’s proposal has garnered significant backing from both security hardliners and the Jewish settler movement, which seeks to reclaim land in Gaza that was used for Jewish settlements until 2005.

Giora Eiland, a former Israeli general known for his “Generals’ Plan” advocating forced displacement of northern Gaza’s population, voiced support for Trump’s plan, suggesting that aid should be restricted for displaced people returning to northern Gaza.

Israel’s ongoing military campaign has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, cross-border assault triggered the war. Many Palestinians have been forced to relocate within Gaza to escape violence.

However, many Palestinians are unwilling to leave the enclave due to fears of permanent displacement, reminiscent of the 1948 “Nakba,” during which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled from their homes following the creation of the state of Israel.

Katz suggested that countries that have criticized Israel’s operations in Gaza, such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, should take in displaced Palestinians.

“Countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which have criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow Gaza residents to enter their territories,” he argued.