Trump's Plans for Gaza Presents Uncertain Future for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreements

What Happened?

The Trump Administration has doubled down on its plans that the U.S. would 'take over' and rebuild Gaza despite pushback from Arab leaders and some Republican members.

President Donald Trump reiterated this in a social media post on Thursday that expressed the Gaza Strip would be turned over to the U.S. by Israel once fighting has concluded.

'They (the Palestinians) would actually have a chance to be happy, safe, and free,' Trump said on Truth Social. 'The U.S., working with great development teams from all over the world, would slowly and carefully begin the construction of what would become one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth.'

Trump added that no U.S. soldiers would be needed in this effort as Israel's army was reportedly ordered to prepare for large relocation plans.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed Trump’s proposal at the White House Tuesday during a joint press conference amid these remarks.

But Netanyahu insisted the plan was a 'remarkable idea.'

'The actual idea of allowing for its Gazans who want to leave, to leave. I mean, what's wrong with that?' Netanyahu told Fox News during a one-on-one interview. 'They can leave. They can then come back. They can relocate and come back, but you have to rebuild Gaza.'

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also described the idea as a temporary relocation during a press briefing Wednesday amid the enclave being a 'demolition site.'

'There’s no running water. There is no electricity. The president wants these individuals to live in peace,' Leavitt said.

Trump proposed relocating nearly two million Palestinians and redeveloping the Gaza Strip under U.S. ownership to create the 'Riviera of the Middle East.'

Why it Matters

U.S. foreign policy has long emphasized a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

But Trump told reporters that 'Gaza is a guarantee that they’re going to end up dying.'

'We should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts,' Trump added. 'There are many of them that want to do this.'

Israeli airstrikes have reportedly destroyed or damaged nearly 60% of buildings and around 92% of homes, according to U.N. data.

Officials reportedly estimate upward of $300 million will be needed to sustain Gaza's most urgent needs in the next six months.

Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters Tuesday that the three to five-year timeline outlined in the truce agreement for the reconstruction of Gaza was not a viable post-war plan.

But Arab and Palestinian leaders, including the militant group Hamas, have all reportedly rejected the idea of relocation out of Gaza and the West Bank.

Egypt has warned the measure could put truce arrangements at risk and has initiated a diplomatic blitz behind the scenes, according to the Associated Press.

The temporary truce agreement aims to end the war on the 16th day of implementation.

At least 12 people have been killed and at least 40 people injured as part of a major crackdown by Israel in the area of Jenin, according to reports.

The truce does not cover the Israel-occupied West Bank territory.

How it Affects You

The critical months ago will be tested to see if the ceasefire agreement remains intact.

Trump has announced many sanction reversals in the West Bank, and Netanyahu has faced pressure from his allies.

Hamas enters a new week in preparation for the next steps in a flimsy ceasefire agreement process to permanently end the nearly 16-month conflict.

Trump's latest foreign funding halts and orders to end U.S. engagement with the U.N. Human Rights Council have many Gazans on high alert.