Palestinians, Arab governments and world leaders have rejected US President Donald Trump’s shock proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its people, even as he insisted that “everybody loves” the idea.

Trump made his initial announcement of the plan to audible gasps during a White House press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a proposal that lacked details on how the United States could move out more than two million Palestinians or control Gaza, Trump said he would make the territory “unbelievable” by redeveloping it after removing unexploded bombs and rubble.

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” he said, adding that there was support from the “highest leadership” in the Middle East.

But hours later, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates hit back, as have China, Britain, France, Germany and the United Nations.

Netanyahu, however, welcomed the idea, saying it could “change history” and was worth “paying attention to”.

Suggesting “long-term ownership” by the United States, Trump said his idea would make it “the Riviera of the Middle East. This could be something that could be so magnificent.”

Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007, rejected the proposal, branding it “racist”.

Trump made his initial announcement of the plan to audible gasps during a White House press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo / AFP

The group said the proposal to “occupy” the territory was “aggressive to our people and cause, won’t serve stability in the region and will only put oil on the fire”.

Asked about the widespread criticism of his plan, Trump told reporters in the White House on Wednesday that “everybody loves it.”

Much of Gaza was levelled in a 15-month war triggered by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, and Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for sealing a ceasefire agreement that took effect last month.

‘Miserable existence’

While Netanyahu’s US visit was billed to focus on a second phase of the truce, it quickly turned into the revelation of a proposal that would, if implemented, completely transform the Middle East.

Trump, who also floated travelling to Gaza, appeared to suggest it would not be rebuilt for Palestinians.

“It should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have ... lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there,” he said.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas rejected the proposal, saying “legitimate Palestinian rights are not negotiable” and that it would constitute a “serious violation” of international law.

A spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was “essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing”, while UN human rights chief Volker Turk said deporting people from occupied territory was “strictly prohibited” under international law.

It is not the first time that Trump has suggested Palestinians should move from Gaza. In recent days, he has cited Egypt and Jordan as possible destinations, but people from the territory have said they want to stay.

“They can do whatever they want, but we will remain steadfast in our homeland,” said 41-year-old Gazan Ahmed Halasa.

For Palestinians, any attempts to force them out of Gaza would evoke dark memories of what the Arab world calls the “Nakba”, or catastrophe - the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel’s creation in 1948.

Israelis in Jerusalem welcomed Trump’s proposal, though some did not believe it could be achieved.

“I really like what he said, but in my wildest dreams ... it’s hard for me to believe it will happen, but who knows,” said Refael, a 65-year-old massage therapist.

Trump was vague on the details, but hinted it could require US boots on the ground “if necessary”.

Egypt and Jordan have rejected any resettlement from Gaza, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty calling for a swift reconstruction “without the Palestinians leaving”.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II, in a meeting with Abbas, rejected “any attempts” to take control of Palestinian territories and displace people.

‘Moral stain’

In Washington, Netanyahu hailed Trump as Israel’s “greatest friend” and praised his “willingness to think outside the box”.

The Israeli premier would not rule out a return to hostilities with Hamas, or with its other foes in the region including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran.

“We will end the war by winning the war,” Netanyahu said, while vowing to secure the return of all hostages held in Gaza.

He voiced confidence a deal with Saudi Arabia to normalise relations was “going to happen”.

But Riyadh said it would not formalise ties with Israel without a Palestinian state, while rejecting any “attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land”.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also lashed out, saying relocating Palestinians was something “neither we nor the region can accept”.

The UAE rejected “any attempts of displacement”, saying “regional stability can only be attained through the two-state solution”.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Gazans “must be allowed home. They must be allowed to rebuild.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Gaza “belongs to the Palestinians”, while Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said: “We are opposed to the forced transfer of the residents of Gaza.”

The Arab League said Trump’s proposal was a “recipe for instability”.

Israeli human rights group B’Tselem described Trump’s plan as “deranged and reprehensible” and a “moral stain on all involved”.

The Gaza war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1210 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory response has killed at least 47,518 people in Gaza, the majority civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.

- Agence France-Presse