U.S. President Donald Trump has significantly shifted his stance on the Gaza issue. On Wednesday, he stated that no Palestinians would be expelled from Gaza.
During a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the Oval Office in Washington, Trump addressed the issue in a joint briefing. When asked by a Voice of America journalist about his future plans for Palestinians in Gaza, he responded, “No one is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza, and there are no such plans.”
A Shift in Policy
Earlier, just a week after taking office on January 20, Trump had announced that the U.S. wanted to take ownership of Gaza. He proposed transforming the war-torn region into a modern city and commercial hub while relocating its residents to safer locations.
In a briefing on February 9, Trump reiterated his commitment to acquiring Gaza, stating that the area was “completely destroyed and currently uninhabitable.” He expressed concerns for the security of its residents, promising to ensure a safe environment for them.
Changing Political Dynamics
Trump’s earlier plans had strong support from Israel’s far-right political groups. However, as their stance shifted, Trump also adjusted his position. One of the most vocal proponents of Gaza’s takeover was Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who recently stated that Israel could not simply “release two million Nazis (referring to Gazan Palestinians) beyond the fences.”
This shift in both Israeli and U.S. policies suggests evolving political considerations regarding Gaza’s future.