White House clarifies President Trump's Gaza plan after backlash

President Donald Trump said today that "no American soldiers will be needed" to implement his proposal for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip and develop the war-torn territory.

The White House also said President Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians would be temporary. As VOA White House correspondent Patsy Widakuswara reports, the change in stance comes after global backlash and a United Nations warning against "any form of ethnic cleansing."

More than 500,000 Palestinians, about a quarter of the population, have returned to northern Gaza, defying President Donald Trump's declaration that the United States would take control of the Palestinian enclave.

"President Trump can only dream that he can relocate us, or expel us," says Palestinian Samiha Zaher.

On Tuesday, President Trump was asked if he would send US troops to take over Gaza.

"As for Gaza, we will do whatever it takes. If it's necessary, we will do it. We will take over that piece," Mr. Trump declared.

But on Thursday, President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that "the Gaza Strip would be handed over to the United States by Israel at the end of the fighting."

He added that Palestinians will be "settled in much safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region."

He also added that the United States would work "with large teams of builders from around the world" and "gradually and carefully begin to build what would become one of the most magnificent development projects in the world."

White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt also clarified President Trump's statements on Wednesday.

"This does not mean a presence of forces in Gaza. It does not mean that American taxpayers will fund these efforts. It means that Donald Trump, who is the most capable deal-maker on the planet, will make a deal with our partners in the region," she said.

But regional partners, including Jordan and Egypt, two countries that President Trump is pressuring to accept Palestinians into their countries, opposed the idea.

Jordan's King Abdullah met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman on Wednesday, while other senior Palestinian officials met with Egypt's foreign minister in Cairo. They stressed the need for a two-state solution.

The same position was held by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.

"It is essential to act in accordance with the foundation of international law. It is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing," he said.

Saudi Arabia, considered the geopolitical and cultural compass of the Arab world, made clear its stance in support of a Palestinian state through public television, calling it "stable, unwavering and steadfast."

"This unwavering stance is not open to negotiation"

This statement contradicts President Trump's claim made on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia is not seeking a Palestinian state.

"Saudi Arabia will provide great assistance and has played such a role already. They want peace in the Middle East," he declared.

Saudi Arabia was involved in negotiations with President Biden's administration to recognize Israel in exchange for a security and energy agreement.

But the talks stalled due to Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel's counteroffensive.

A deal with Saudi Arabia would expand the Abraham Accords, which President Trump brokered in 2020, which normalized relations between Israel and Arab states. Riyadh wants to be more cautious, at least for now.

"Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman currently sees no immediate benefit for himself in joining President Trump's plan, which is otherwise offensive and the whole world seems to have turned against him," says Madawi al-Rasheed, a professor at the London School of Economics.

Among them are the United States' enemy countries, China and Russia, but also its allies, including Germany, France and Britain.

"They must be allowed to return to their homes. We must allow them to rebuild and we must stand with them as they rebuild in search of a two-state solution," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

The White House now says that President Trump's plan is to temporarily relocate Palestinians to another location.

"It's an unlivable place. In fact, I think it's wrong to suggest that people can live in such difficult conditions," said spokeswoman Leavitt.

She said President Trump will speak with regional leaders in the coming days. Meanwhile, protesters gathered in several American cities to protest President Trump's actions, including his stance on Gaza./ VOA