Trump orders Israeli military to prepare Gaza residents for deportation

A firestorm of controversy has erupted following a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel will cede control of the Gaza Strip over to the United States at the conflict’s end. His plan, presented on Truth Social, would allow current Gaza residents to be resettled in “safer and more modern communities,” thus avoiding a need for U.S. troops on the ground.

Trump’s statement follows Israel’s decision to prepare for the voluntary deportation of Gaza residents, a move welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Katz has instructed the Israeli military to develop a strategy enabling those who wish to leave to do so via land, sea, or air.

A Bold Vision or a Risky Gamble?

Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, have responded with swift condemnation. King Abdullah of Jordan described the plan as a threat of annexation of land and of the forced dislocation of the Palestinian people. Critics in the Arab world interpret the initiative as a modern version of land theft masquerading as redevelopment, with Trump having branded Gaza the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

“We will not sell our land for you, real estate developer,” said Abdel Ghani, a Gaza resident living in the rubble of his destroyed home. “We are homeless, desperate, but we are not collaborators.”

Hamas has also denounced the proposal, with senior official Basem Naim accusing Israel of deflecting from its military failures. The forced displacement of civilians under occupation is considered a war crime under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, raising legal and ethical concerns about the feasibility of Trump’s plan.

Ceasefire Talks and Diplomatic Fallout

The announcement comes at a critical moment, as Israel and Hamas engage in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage releases. While some hardline Israeli politicians and settler groups back Trump’s initiative, others worry that it could derail sensitive diplomatic efforts.

As global leaders weigh in, the fate of Gaza hangs in the balance. With its residents facing devastation, displacement, and an uncertain future, Trump’s proposal has only deepened the crisis rather than offering a clear path forward.