➤ President Donald Trump has announced an idea that would give the US control of the Gaza Strip and remove the Palestinians currently living there. The idea goes against positions long held by the US, and would also break international laws.
On February 4, US President Donald Trump shocked people around the world by announcing an idea of his that would give the US control of the Gaza Strip and remove all of the Palestinians who are currently living there. The move goes against a position held by the US for years. The plan would also break international laws.
After 15 months of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, there is a temporary pause in the fighting in Gaza. Most people hope the ceasefire will turn into a permanent peace. But the future of the Gaza Strip, which has been largely destroyed by Israeli bombing, is still very unclear.
Mr. Trump announced his unusual idea when he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were meeting with reporters.
(Source: Ecrusized. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Under Mr. Trump’s plan, the US would take over Gaza, pay to clean it up, and turn it into a fancy vacation spot. Mr. Trump says the 2.3 million Palestinians who live in Gaza would have to leave permanently and live in nearby countries like Egypt or Jordan. He says the Palestinians would have “new and modern homes” in safe and beautiful areas.
Israel likes Mr. Trump’s idea. But it’s not at all clear how it might work. Most Palestinians do not want to give up their land. It’s also uncertain if Mr. Trump has any plans for how to deal with the militant Palestinian group Hamas.
The leaders of Egypt and Jordan say they do not want to take in the Palestinians. Mr. Trump says he might hold back money that the US gives to support these countries if they don’t help with his plan.
For decades, the US has had the position that at some point Palestine should become its own country, just like Israel is. This is called the two-state solution. Mr. Trump’s idea seems to completely give up this long-held goal.
Experts say the plan goes against international law. Removing Palestinians from their land would be illegal. It is also against the law for the US to simply take over that land.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel in mid-February. Despite the concerns, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Netanyahu say they are continuing to work on Mr. Trump’s idea.