Trump Says His ‘Gaza Takeover’ Would Not Allow Palestinians To Return Until ‘Redevelopment’ Is Complete

President Donald Trump said that over two million displaced Palestinians would not have the right to return to the wreckage of the Gaza Strip in his plan “to take over” the territory. He told Fox News’ Bret Baier that the Palestinians would have “no alternative” but to leave because of the destruction left by Israel’s military campaign.

Trump proposed to “own” and rebuild Gaza last week during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House.

In his initial announcement, Trump said, “I envision the world people living there, the world’s people. You’ll make that into an international, unbelievable place. I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable,” and it could be “the riviera of the Middle East.” He also implied that Palestinians and “many people” would be able to remain in Gaza after the U.S. took ownership.

“We’ll build beautiful communities for the 1.9 million people. We’ll build beautiful communities, safe communities — could be five, six, could be two, but we’ll build safe communities a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is,” Trump said in the interview with Baier.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week the Palestinians will only be moved “temporarily” from Gaza, and they can return once the reconstruction is complete. However, Trump said there is “no rush” for his plan to rebuild.

Many parts of Gaza are not habitable because of the destruction of buildings and infrastructure left by Israel’s military campaign. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited Gaza two weeks ago and told the press it would take 10-15 years until Gaza could be habitable again.

“They’re going to have much better housing,” he said. “In other words, I’m talking about building a permanent place for them.”

Trump believes that he will be able to strike a deal with Jordan and Egypt to take in the Palestinians as part of his redevelopment plan. The two countries have openly opposed the plan. 

Trump was asked on Monday if he would withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt – two countries among the top recipients of U.S. military assistance – if they do not agree to take in Palestinians.

“Sure, why not?” Trump responded. “If they don’t agree, I would conceivably withhold aid. Yeah.”

Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday to discuss the plan. Jordanian King Abdullah II attended a meeting at the White House on Tuesday with Trump, where he promised to accept 2,000 injured Palestinian children.

Jordan is home to approximately three million Palestinians, who came after the founding of Israel. Egypt and Jordan, both of which have peace treaties with Israel, reject the idea of taking in Palestinians, citing security concerns, potential instability, and the risk of widespread opposition.