US Secretary of State Clarifies Trump's Gaza Resettlement Plan as 'Temporary'

TDT | Manama

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle Gaza’s population would only be temporary, following growing international criticism of the idea.

Trump had suggested that the United States could "take over" Gaza and relocate millions of Palestinians living there, a remark that sparked backlash from the United Nations, human rights organizations, and Arab leaders.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt sought to clarify the president’s remarks, emphasizing that the U.S. had no plans to deploy troops to the region. "The administration is committed to rebuilding Gaza and ensuring a temporary relocation of its residents during the reconstruction process," she told reporters on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz weighed in, stating that Gazans "should be allowed to enjoy freedom of exit and immigration," though he provided little detail on how such a policy would be implemented.

During an official visit to Guatemala, Rubio defended Trump's proposal, describing it as a "generous move" that demonstrated "the willingness of the United States to take responsibility for the reconstruction of the area." He insisted that any relocation would be for an "interim" period while debris was cleared and infrastructure was rebuilt.

However, Trump himself appeared to contradict this stance, saying on Tuesday that the displacement of Gaza’s population would be permanent.

The president’s comments have added to the controversy surrounding his broader vision for the region. He has previously proposed transforming the war-torn Gaza Strip into what he described as "the Riviera of the Middle East."

As the debate over Trump’s proposal intensifies, questions remain about the feasibility, legality, and humanitarian impact of such a move.