Trump’s Gaza ‘solution’ sparks a diplomatic firestorm with no easy way out | In Pics

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” Trump explained. He suggested that, under US leadership, the region could be transformed into a symbol of prosperity. (Image: Reuters)

The proposal has drawn condemnation from numerous Arab nations, including Egypt and Jordan, both of which are close US allies and have peace agreements with Israel. They have rejected Trump’s suggestion to absorb more Palestinian refugees, with Saudi Arabia, too, issuing a rare statement repudiating the idea. The kingdom reiterated its stance that normalisation of relations with Israel is contingent upon the establishment of a Palestinian state, including Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital. (Image: Reuters)

The potential implications of Trump’s plan extend beyond diplomatic tensions. The proposal risks undermining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and the ongoing negotiations surrounding the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, which triggered the current conflict. Although Trump has taken credit for brokering the ceasefire, its stability is now uncertain. (Image: Reuters)

For Palestinians, Gaza remains an integral part of their national identity, and many aspire to establish an independent state encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem — territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. A significant portion of Gaza’s population consists of descendants of refugees who were displaced during the 1948 war that followed the creation of Israel. These refugees were barred from returning due to Israel’s fear that their return would overwhelm the Jewish population in the newly established state. (Image: Reuters)

The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, challenged Trump’s plan, suggesting that if the goal was to relocate Palestinians to a “happy, nice place,” they should be allowed to return to their ancestral homes in Israel. This call underscores the deep-rooted Palestinian commitment to their land and their struggle for self-determination, a sentiment vividly expressed when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to northern Gaza despite its near-total destruction. (Image: Reuters)

Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which recognises Israel and cooperates on security issues, have strongly condemned Trump’s proposal. The broader Arab world, including Egypt and Jordan, has firmly rejected the idea of resettling Palestinian refugees within their borders, citing fears of destabilising the region and further exacerbating the Palestinian refugee crisis. The economies of both countries are already under strain, making the prospect of absorbing large numbers of refugees an impractical solution. (Image: Reuters)

Trump’s suggestion that wealthy Gulf countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, could fund the resettlement process has also been met with skepticism. These nations have all publicly rejected the transfer plan. (Image: Reuters)

Despite the opposition, Trump has demonstrated a willingness to use economic leverage, such as tariffs and aid cutoffs, to pressure countries into compliance. However, Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf states also possess significant influence in the region, and they could work together to mitigate any economic consequences of defying the US proposal. (Image: Reuters)

The ongoing Gaza ceasefire, which includes an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, could be jeopardised by the plan. The second phase of this deal, which involves the release of remaining hostages, is still under negotiation. Hamas has insisted that the release of hostages is contingent on the cessation of hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal, which would likely preclude any forced transfer of Palestinians. (Image: Reuters)

In Israel, the reception to Trump’s proposal has been mixed. While some far-right leaders, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have expressed support for the idea, others have emphasised the importance of securing the release of all hostages before pursuing any further military action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and centrist leaders like Benny Gantz have suggested that the plan deserves consideration, though they stress that the immediate priority should be the safe return of the hostages. (Image: Reuters)