U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited international controversy with his proposal to take over and rebuild the Gaza Strip, asserting that displaced Palestinians would have no right of return. His plan involves resettling approximately two million Palestinians in neighboring countries, an idea that has been met with strong opposition from Palestinian leaders, regional governments, and human rights organizations. Trump stated, “No, they wouldn’t [return], because they’re going to have much better housing.” He outlined his vision of constructing “safe communities” away from current conflict zones and emphasized his commitment to “buying and owning Gaza.” These statements have drawn sharp criticism from both Palestinian officials and international bodies. The United Nations has warned that forced displacement of civilians from occupied territories constitutes “ethnic cleansing.” The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have firmly rejected the proposal, declaring that Palestinian land “is not for sale.” This announcement comes amid a delicate ceasefire following a 16-month conflict between Israel and Hamas. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 61,700 Palestinian deaths, according to recent reports. The extensive destruction has displaced a significant portion of Gaza’s population, devastated infrastructure, and left…
