In a stunning and controversial move, US President Donald Trump has called for the United States to take over and “own” Gaza after forcibly depopulating it. His remarks, made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, have drawn immediate condemnation from human rights advocates, legal experts, and global leaders, many of whom view the proposal as a flagrant violation of international law.
Trump’s suggestion has escalated concerns that his administration is not only endorsing the mass displacement of Palestinians but also attempting to set a dangerous precedent by advocating territorial acquisition through force something explicitly prohibited by the United Nations Charter.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it,” Trump stated, as Netanyahu stood beside him, smiling.
This statement comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and the displacement of nearly two million people, according to humanitarian organizations.
Trump’s comments have sparked outrage across the political spectrum. Many critics say his proposal amounts to an endorsement of ethnic cleansing, defined by the United Nations as the systematic removal of an ethnic or religious group from a territory by force.
Abed Ayoub, Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), called Trump’s proposal “terrifying.”
“These comments are insane and should not be taken lightly,” Ayoub said. “This is a blatant endorsement of ethnic cleansing. It would go against all norms and international law. The question is: does the international community even care about international law anymore?”
Raed Jarrar, advocacy director at the US-based rights group Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), echoed this sentiment, calling Trump’s statement “delusional” and a “direct threat to global stability.”
“Trump’s remarks highlight the need for immediate international intervention,” Jarrar said. “This is not just a Palestinian issue; it’s a global security threat.”
Legal scholars warn that Trump’s proposal is a direct violation of the foundational principles of the United Nations. The UN Charter, signed in 1945, explicitly prohibits the acquisition of territory by force.
Tariq Habash, a former Biden administration official who resigned over US support for Israel, condemned Trump’s remarks as “a blatant violation of international law.”
“The United States has no legal right to ‘own’ Gaza,” Habash stated. “This is not just an unethical proposal—it’s an illegal one.”
Nancy Okail, President of the Center for International Policy, compared Trump’s rhetoric to the darkest chapters of history.
“Trump’s comments proposing the forced displacement of an entire population and the US taking control of Gaza amount to a call for crimes against humanity,” she said.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also strongly rebuked Trump’s statements, with Executive Director Nihad Awad stating:
“Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States. If Palestinians were forcibly expelled, this crime against humanity would mark the final chapter in Israel’s genocide against them.”
Trump’s remarks have already heightened tensions in the Middle East, with analysts warning that any attempt to forcibly depopulate Gaza could ignite a larger regional conflict.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress, called on her colleagues to condemn Trump’s remarks.
“Palestinians aren’t going anywhere,” she declared on social media. “This president can only spew this fanatical nonsense because Congress keeps funding genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
The Arab League and the United Nations have also voiced concerns, warning that any attempt to depopulate or annex Gaza would further destabilize the region and could lead to violent repercussions.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials remain divided. While Netanyahu appeared supportive of Trump’s remarks during the press conference, some members of Israel’s Knesset have urged caution, fearing that such a move could trigger unprecedented international backlash.
Trump’s comments on Gaza are part of a broader pattern of remarks in which he has suggested the United States should take over various territories. In recent months, he has floated ideas about annexing the Panama Canal, purchasing Greenland, and even exerting control over parts of Canada.
While these statements have largely been dismissed as unrealistic, Trump’s Gaza proposal is being taken far more seriously, given the current humanitarian crisis and ongoing military operations.
“This isn’t just some outlandish Trump idea,” said international relations expert Dr. Mark Landers. “It aligns with the most extreme elements of Israeli policy, which seek to erase Palestinian identity and sovereignty altogether.”
As global outrage mounts, all eyes are on Washington and Jerusalem. The Biden administration, under pressure from international allies, may be forced to clarify whether it supports or rejects Trump’s statements. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is expected to convene emergency discussions on the matter.
Human rights groups continue to urge immediate action, warning that failure to condemn Trump’s rhetoric could set a dangerous precedent for global conflicts.
“This is a moment of truth for the international community,” Okail said. “If we allow this kind of rhetoric to go unchecked, we risk normalizing war crimes.”
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