US President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks on Gaza’s future have drawn significant attention in Israeli media. His latest statement reaffirms his commitment to having the United States purchase and own Gaza, suggesting that parts of the territory could be allocated to other Middle Eastern countries for reconstruction. He stated that Gaza would become a hub for “future development.”
Tel Aviv quickly reacted, with political forces including Netanyahu’s coalition and the opposition in statements that served their agendas. The wider implications of these remarks for the Middle East, already facing deep political and security crises, seem largely ignored.
In his latest Fox News interview, Trump reinforced his position despite some hints of a possible tactical shift. He announced plans to build up to six settlements outside Gaza to house displaced Palestinians permanently, pledging to oversee them personally. His plan does not include the right of return for over two million Palestinians, insisting they have no choice but to leave due to the destruction caused by Israel.
Although Trump admitted Israel caused Gaza’s devastation, his proposals reward those responsible. His statements serve as political support for Netanyahu, despite the Israeli military’s violations of human rights and international law.
If global actors truly recognized international law, specifically Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the forced displacement of civilians, they would classify such actions as war crimes and part of ethnic cleansing.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, in an interview with Fox News, described Trump’s proposals for transforming Gaza and resettling its population elsewhere before redeveloping the area into the “Middle East Riviera” as an unprecedented idea.
He avoided full endorsement but called for discussions with Egypt, Jordan, and the Abraham Accords nations.
Herzog’s tone differs from Netanyahu’s far-right allies, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who openly advocate for Palestinian displacement. However, despite differences in rhetoric, Israeli leaders, whether through direct force or diplomatic maneuvers, continue pursuing expansionist goals.
Think tanks have repeatedly noted that while Gaza represents a security concern for Israel, the West Bank holds a distinct place in Israeli ideology. Often referred to as “Judea and Samaria,” the West Bank remains central to Zionist beliefs.
Despite internal political challenges threatening his coalition, Netanyahu now enjoys a more favorable position under both Trump’s and Biden’s administrations than in 2011, when opposition from senior US officials and the Obama administration forced him to back down from aggressive policies on Iran. Today, Netanyahu pushes for a broader regional shift that serves Israel’s strategic interests rather than focusing on regional security or stability.
While Netanyahu speaks of expanding normalization efforts, his government takes actions that make a two-state solution increasingly impossible. His policies push for Palestinian displacement, weaken UN institutions like UNRWA, and obstruct international agencies from delivering essential services to Palestinians.
Egypt has consistently rejected any proposals for the forced displacement of Palestinians, a position fully aligned with Jordan’s. Both countries have issued clear statements rejecting any scenario where Palestinians are transferred to their territories.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed this stance on February 10, stating that Cairo supports early recovery and reconstruction, but only with Palestinians remaining in their homeland. Similarly, on February 8, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned Netanyahu’s comments, calling them deliberately misleading and unacceptable. Cairo rejected any suggestion of resettling Palestinians in Egypt, Jordan, or Saudi Arabia.
Egypt has repeatedly affirmed its position that Palestinians must remain in their land, despite the suffering imposed on them. Forcing them out, whether by direct military action or economic hardship, risks destabilizing the region and sparking consequences far beyond the Middle East.
If Israel and the US proceed with plans that reshape Gaza’s future through displacement, it would set a dangerous precedent for international law. The world cannot remain silent on the clear violations of humanitarian principles these plans entail.
The crisis in Gaza is not just a regional matter, it is a test of whether international law holds any real authority. If world powers allow the forced expulsion of millions of Palestinians, they risk normalizing ethnic cleansing as a political strategy.
Rather than supporting dispossession, the international community must hold Israel accountable, push for genuine peace efforts, and protect Palestinian rights. The alternative is a world where war crimes become routine political decisions, disguised as development and security.
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