Trump Floats Controversial Plan for Gaza: US Control and Palestinian Relocation

The inclusion of Morocco in Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza seems to be linked to the ongoing territorial conflict around the Western Sahara, while that of Somaliland and Puntland is explained by their desire to obtain international recognition, believes The Jerusalem Post, citing N12, suggesting that these countries need the support of the United States given their geopolitical needs.

During a joint press conference after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington DC, the US president proposed that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip, claiming he could make it "the Riviera of the Middle East" after a massive reconstruction program. This program includes US intervention to secure and rebuild Gaza, the relocation of Palestinians to Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Somaliland and Puntland, and long-term US control over the territory. A plan hailed by the Israeli Prime Minister who described it as "remarkable", and stated that the Palestinians would have the opportunity to return once Gaza was rebuilt.

This plan has, however, been rejected by Palestinian leaders. Hamas sees it as a "racist" project aimed at erasing the Palestinian cause. The PLO, for its part, has expressed its opposition to any deportation of Palestinians from their homeland. "We categorically reject any plan to relocate Palestinians. Our homeland is our homeland," said Hussein al-Sheikh, chairman of the PLO. Countries like Saudi Arabia are aligning themselves with Palestinian leaders. "Saudi Arabia will continue its efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and will not normalize its relations with Israel without that," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on X. Towards a stillborn project?