GAZA | Trump says no right of return for Palestinians in Gaza under his US 'ownership' plan.

WASHINGTON, DC, February 11, 2025 - United States President Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial plan for Gaza that would deny Palestinians the right to return while placing the territory under U.S. "ownership," drawing sharp criticism from Arab nations and Hamas leaders.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News' Bret Baier on Monday, Donald Trump elaborated on his vision to transform Gaza into "the Riviera of the Middle East" - a plan that would see Palestinians relocated to "safe communities" away from the conflict zone while the U.S. takes control of reconstruction efforts.

"Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent," Trump said, doubling down on his proposal first floated last week. When asked directly if Palestinians would have the right to return to Gaza under his plan, the President's response was unequivocal: "No, they wouldn't."

The President's remarks come at a particularly sensitive time, as he prepares to host Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday. Trump expressed confidence in convincing Arab nations to accept displaced Palestinians, citing their "good hearts," while simultaneously threatening to withhold billions in U.S. aid if they refuse to cooperate.

The proposal has met fierce resistance from Arab nations, particularly Egypt and Jordan, who have raised concerns about both security implications and the threat to long-standing aspirations for a two-state solution. 

Egypt's Foreign Ministry issued a forceful statement Monday, rejecting any transfer of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, while emphasizing that an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital remains the foundation for "comprehensive and just peace" in the region.

Hamas officials responded with equal vigor. Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' political bureau, dismissed the President's ownership plan as "absurd," saying it reflected "deep ignorance of Palestine and the region." He added pointedly, "Dealing with the Palestinian cause with the mentality of a real estate dealer is a recipe for failure."

The timing of the US President’s  comments has sparked additional concerns about their potential impact on the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 

The current framework for negotiations centers on providing massive humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for civilians in Gaza - a sharp contrast to the President's vision, which explicitly rules out U.S. funding for reconstruction while leaving open the possibility of American troops on the ground.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved to clarify the President's earlier statements, insisting that any relocation of Palestinians from Gaza would be purely temporary. 

They emphasized that such measures would only be implemented during an "interim" period to allow for essential tasks like debris removal, disposal of unexploded ordnance, and reconstruction.

Egypt's position remains unequivocal, with the government explicitly defending Palestinians' "right of self-determination... and independence." 

The statement particularly emphasized "the right of return for Palestinian refugees who were forced to leave their homeland" - a reference to the hundreds of thousands displaced during the 1948 war who fled to what is now Israel.

The stark contrast between the President's real estate development approach and the complex historical realities of the region underscores the challenges facing any lasting peace settlement. 

As Hamas official al-Rishq concluded, "Our Palestinian people will thwart all transfer and deportation plans" - a sentiment that echoes throughout the Palestinian territories and their Arab allies.

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