US President Donald Trump has appeared to back off his demand for relocating two million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to nearby countries in exchange for a US takeover of the territory. In a recent interview with Fox News, Mr. Trump admitted that efforts to persuade Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Gazans had failed.
The proposal, which was first raised by President Trump in February 2025, aimed to transform the Gaza Strip into “the Riviera of the Middle East” under US control. However, it faced opposition from leaders of both countries, who rejected the idea outright.
In a striking reversal, Mr. Trump now appears to be downplaying his earlier stance on the matter. He stated that while he believed his plan was good, he is not forcing it and will “sit back and recommend” it instead.
The comments come after weeks of confusion surrounding the proposal, with some administration officials downplaying its feasibility while others insisted that it was a serious intention. Despite this, Mr. Trump seems to have abandoned his plans, leaving the future of Gaza’s residents uncertain.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/politics/trump-gaza-egypt-jordan.html