Palestinians have no right to return to Gaza under US plan - Trump
Agencies
11/02/2025
President Trump (left) is interviewed by Fox News' Bret Baier. — Bret Baier's Instagram Image
WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has insisted that Palestinians will not have the right to return to Gaza under the U.S. takeover plan, which he described as "real estate development for the future."
In an excerpt of the interview aired on Monday, Trump told Fox News' Bret Baier that "I'm going to have it" referring to Gaza.
Trump also suggested that there would be up to six new settlements for Palestinians outside Gaza under the plan. This plan, however, has been flatly rejected by the Arab world and the international community.
"No, they (Palestinians) will not (return), because they will get much better housing," Trump said when asked if Palestinians have the right to return to Gaza, which has been largely destroyed by Israeli military attacks since October 2023.
Trump added: "I'm talking about building permanent residence for them, because if they have to come back now, it will take years to make Gaza habitable again."
Trump first revealed the controversial plan during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, which sparked Palestinian outrage.
The US president also called for Palestinians to be evacuated from Gaza devastated by the Israeli-Hamas war, suggesting that Egypt and Jordan accept them.
In an interview with Fox, Trump expressed his desire to build a "beautiful community" for the more than two million Palestinians currently living in Gaza.
"Maybe five, six or two constituencies. But we will build a safe community, a little bit away from the dangerous areas where they live now," he added.
Trump also said: "In the meantime, I will have it (Gaza). Think of this as a real estate development for the future. It will be a beautiful piece of land. It doesn't require a huge expense."
Trump shocked the world last week when he suddenly announced a U.S. plan to "take over the Gaza Strip," clear the remnants of rubble and unexploded bombs, and turn it into a "Middle Eastern Riviera."
While Trump initially stated that Palestinians could be part of the "world's population" allowed to live there, his latest statement shows his increasingly firm stance against allowing Palestinians to return.
Meanwhile, his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday praised Trump's plan, describing it as a new and better vision for Israel.
Nevertheless, the global reaction to this plan was full of anger.
Egypt, Jordan, other Arab countries and the Palestinian people rejected it completely.
Criticism also comes from Western leaders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the plan as "scandalous" and stressed that the forced displacement of Palestinians was "unacceptable and contrary to international law."
Trump's plan also threatens the stability of a six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, further worsening the prospect of reaching a more permanent peace phase.
However, Trump remains confident that he can persuade Egypt and Jordan to support his plan.
"I think I can make a deal with Jordan. I think I can make a deal with Egypt. You know, we give them billions of dollars every year," Trump told Fox News.
Last year, Trump described Gaza as "Monaco-like" while his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, suggested that Israel could empty Gaza of its inhabitants to open up opportunities for real estate development in the waterfront. - Agency
