On Tuesday, February 2025, President Trump, welcoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a White House visit, reiterated his suggestion that neighboring Jordan and Egypt should absorb those displaced from Gaza. However, it was the first time he explicitly stated that Palestinians should not be allowed to return to their homes in Gaza, even after the area is rebuilt.
Trump proposed that Palestinians be permanently relocated out of Gaza and that the U.S. should take control of the territory after it had been devastated by over 15 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“My hope is that we could create something truly remarkable, something so appealing that they wouldn’t want to return,” Trump said to reporters in the Oval Office. “Why would they want to go back? The place has been hell.”
He continued, “I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza. Gaza is not a place for people to live. The only reason they would want to return, and I believe this strongly, is because they have no other option. If they had an alternative, they’d much rather choose it and live somewhere beautiful and safe.”
Netanyahu, visiting the White House as the first foreign leader since Trump’s return to office for a second term, emphasized the importance of their relationship. Despite some past tensions over Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the war with Hamas and his acceptance of the 2020 election results, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for the friendship: “This is a testament to your friendship and support for the Jewish state and the Jewish people. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
Trump’s proposal to permanently relocate Palestinians from Gaza faces significant political challenges, as many Palestinians oppose resettlement, viewing it as an infringement on their rights.
During a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Trump elaborated on his vision for Gaza, one where Palestinians would not return but rather the U.S. would take control of the territory. “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will handle it,” Trump declared. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons, clearing the area, and leveling the destroyed buildings. We’ll then create economic opportunities, providing unlimited jobs and housing for people in the region.”
The president left open the possibility of using U.S. military forces to secure Gaza, should the need arise.