Trump's Gaza Vision Cloaked in Hypocrisy

Addressing the press alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump mentioned his Gaza plan for the first time. He remarked, "We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site," adding that the US would "create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area." He also called on Jordan, Egypt and other Arab states to take in Palestinians. It is unknown if he had discussed the proposal with his advisors.

- HARSHA KAKAR

A few days later he repeated the same by adding, "I'm committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it." Trump stated that Gazans would not have the right to return as "they would have much better housing." Restrictions on the re-entry of Gazans into the region was an addition. Trump believes that if the neutral US occupies disputed Gaza, the conflict can end.

Trump's suggestion of taking over Gaza was music to Netanyahu's ears who termed it as "revolutionary and creative," while referring to the American President as the "greatest friend of Israel." Such was his confidence that he jokingly stated that Gaza could even be created in Saudi Arabia, which has excess land, about which Riyadh expressed anger.

For residents of Gaza, who have suffered the loss of thousands of lives, large-scale destruction, multiple relocations due to Israeli air and ground strikes, amid shortages of food and medicine, moving to a safer region, even if it is another state, is any day a better option. Hence, many locals backed Trump's announcement. Moving them is just one part of the problem, providing employment, accommodation and sustenance is another.

Trump threatened Egypt and Jordan about accepting Gazans on their soil. In a press interaction he stated that if Egypt and Jordan do not accept Gazans, he could stop aid to them. However, both states rejected Trump's proposal. There are reports that Egypt has deployed its army close to the Israel border to prevent inflow of refugees.