Timeline: Trump's remarks on the forcible transfer of Palestinians in Gaza

Middle East Eye

5 hours ago

US President Donald Trump has proposed several startling, jaw-dropping and illegal policy proposals concerning the fate of Palestinians in Gaza since returning to the White House earlier this year.
His most outlandish proposal, which is aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians from the enclave, is illegal under international law, a war crime and a crime against humanity.
Since Israel declared war on the enclave, the overwhelming majority of Gaza's population have been displaced multiple times, and more than 57,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed.
Throughout the 20-month-war, Israeli politicians have repeatedly called for the forcible transfer of Palestinians to neighbouring and at times third states, something rights organisations have condemned as support for ethnic cleansing.
Here, Middle East Eye takes a look at each of Trump's policy proposals on Gaza.
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15 January: Trump's first mention of a captive deal and a ceasefire agreement
Five days before returning to the White House, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that a hostage deal was underway.
'WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!'
Shortly after, he also announced that a ceasefire agreement was in place, brokered by Steve Witkoff, who at the time was the incoming Middle East envoy, as Trump had not yet been sworn into office.
'We're going to take it. We're going to hold it. We're going to cherish [Gaza]'
- US President Donald Trump
'This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.
'With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!
'We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!'
25 January: Trump suggests displacing Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring countries, and 'clean out that whole thing'
Just days after becoming president, Trump first touts that Jordan and Egypt should take in Palestinians from Gaza.
"I'd like Egypt to take people, and I'd like Jordan to take people [from Gaza]," Trump said, adding he spoke that day with Jordan's King Abdullah.
"It's literally a demolition site ... so I'd rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location where they (Palestinians) can maybe live in peace for a change. We just clean out that whole thing."
27, 30 and 31 January: Trump reiterates plans for the forced displacement of Palestinians
Trump reiterated his plan for Palestinian displacement on 27, 30 and 31 January. He said he expected Egypt and Jordan to agree to it despite their rejection of the proposal.
'I think he (Egypt's president) would do it, and I think the king of Jordan would do it, too," Trump said on 27 January.
4 February: Trump proposes permanent displacement of Palestinians
Ahead of his first meeting with Netanyahu in Washington, Trump suggested permanently displacing Palestinians from Gaza, saying that Palestinians had no option but to leave the enclave because it had been ravaged by Israel's military assault, leaving tens of thousands of people both displaced and killed.
Tony Blair Institute linked to Gaza plan condemned as ethnic cleansing: Report Read More »
"I think they (Gazans) should get a good, fresh, beautiful piece of land, and we get some people to put up the money to build it. I don't know how they could want to stay (in Gaza)". Trump told reporters.
The plan was condemned globally, with Palestinians, Arab nations, the United Nations and human rights experts saying it was tantamount to "ethnic cleansing".
4 February: Trump proposes US takeover and redevelopment of Gaza
Later, on 4 February, Trump proposed a US takeover of Gaza during a press conference with Netanyahu, saying: "The US will take over the Gaza Strip... We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site". He proposed turning it into the "Riviera of the Middle East'.
He said Washington would ask neighbouring countries with "humanitarian hearts" and "great wealth" to take in Palestinians. He said those countries will pay for rebuilding Gaza and housing displaced Palestinians.
When asked if US troops would be sent, Trump said: "If it's necessary, we'll do that." When asked who will live in Gaza, Trump said: "I envision world people living there ... Palestinians also."
5 February: Trump aides retract some of his statements about permanently displacing Palestinians
Trump's top aides walked back some of his statements about permanently displacing Palestinians and using the US military.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Palestinians should be "temporarily relocated" while Gaza is rebuilt, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Palestinians could leave Gaza for an "interim" period. Leavitt said Trump had not committed to putting "boots on the ground".
6 February: Trump walks back his comments that US soldiers are needed in Gaza
Trump posted on social media: "The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting. The Palestinians ... would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region. No soldiers by the US would be needed!"
10 February: Trump says Palestinians have no right to return
Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Trump during an interview if Palestinians would have a right to return to Gaza under his plan, with Trump saying they would have "permanent" housing outside the strip.
"No, they wouldn't because they're going to have much better housing." He added: "I'm talking about building a permanent place for them."
11 February: Trump meets with Jordan's King Abdullah
On the day he met Jordan's King Abdullah II in Washington, Trump said that he would "take" and "hold" Gaza.
"We will have Gaza. No reason to buy. There is nothing to buy. It's Gaza. It's a war-torn area. We're going to take it. We're going to hold it. We're going to cherish it".
King Abdullah expressed his opposition to Trump's plans.
Later that day, Trump was asked if he was going to withhold aid to Egypt and Jordan, which both rely on Washington for economic and military assistance.
"You know, I think we'll do something. I don't have to threaten with money ... I do believe we're above that," he said.
26 February: Trump releases AI-generated video of Gaza
Trump shares an incendiary AI-generated video on his Truth Social platform depicting a transformed Gaza under US control. The clip, posted without comment, is titled "Gaza 2025, What's Next?" The video faced global backlash.
7 April: Trump's second meeting with Netanyahu in Washington
Trump met Netanyahu weeks after he broke the ceasefire agreement. Trump returned to his vision of a post-war exodus of Palestinians from Gaza, which Arab nations firmly rejected.
"I think it's an incredible piece of important real estate," he said. "And I think it's something that we would be involved in, but you know, having a peace force like the United States there, controlling and owning the Gaza Strip, would be a good thing."
"And if you take the people, the Palestinians, and move them around to different countries, and you have plenty of countries that will do that." Trump added: "A lot of people like my concept. But you know, there are other concepts that I like too, and there are some concepts I don't like".
Arab leaders in March adopted a $53bn Egyptian reconstruction plan that would avoid displacing Palestinians from Gaza. Trump and Israel rejected it at the time.
1 July: Trump announces a ceasefire deal is on the cards
Trump announced on Truth Social that a proposed 60-day ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is a possibility.
'We've had great cooperation from... surrounding countries'
- US President Donald Trump
'My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War. The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
Hamas announced that they were considering the deal and would like a permanent end to the war.
7 July: Trump's third meeting with Netanyahu in Washington
When asked about displacing the Palestinians, Trump said the countries around Israel were helping out. "We've had great cooperation from... surrounding countries. ... So something good will happen," Trump said.
Netanyahu said that Israel was working with Washington to find other countries to agree to such a plan.
"If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave," Netanyahu said. "We're working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realise what they always say, that they wanted to give the Palestinians a better future. I think we're getting close to finding several countries."
Washington has for decades backed a two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians to create a state for Palestinians alongside Israel. Trump said, "I don't know" when he was asked if that solution was possible and referred the question to Netanyahu.
"I think the Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves, but none of the powers to threaten us. That means a sovereign power, like overall security, will always remain in our hands," Netanyahu said.