White House clarifies Trump‍‍`s Gaza plan: No troops, just temporary resettlement

President Donald Trump’s suggestion to temporarily relocate Gaza’s residents has sparked both support and criticism across the globe.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepped in to clarify that the plan was only meant to be temporary, despite the heated reactions it has triggered. 

The idea of resettling Gaza’s two million residents comes after Trump proposed that the US could "take over" Gaza, a plan that has drawn backlash from the United Nations, human rights organizations, and several Arab leaders.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt elaborated on Trump’s statements, assuring reporters that the US does not plan to send "boots on the ground" in Gaza, which had been a concern for many.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz voiced his approval, suggesting that Gazans should be given “freedom of exit and immigration.”

However, he did not provide specifics on how this would be carried out or what it would mean for Gazans after reconstruction efforts in Gaza are completed.

Rubio, while visiting Guatemala, called Trump’s proposal "not hostile," but rather a "generous move" that demonstrates the US’s "willingness to take responsibility for rebuilding the area." 

The idea is for the Gazans to temporarily leave their homes as the area is cleared of debris and undergoes reconstruction.

However, international law strictly prohibits any attempts to forcibly relocate populations from occupied territories, which has made Trump’s proposal controversial from the start.

Leavitt reassured reporters that the President is committed to rebuilding Gaza, with the displacement of its residents being only a temporary measure during the reconstruction process. 

This comes after Trump had earlier suggested on Tuesday that the displacement could be permanent.

Leavitt also emphasized that while US troops were not being deployed, the possibility of US military involvement in Gaza had not been ruled out.

The proposal follows Trump’s earlier comments about taking control of Gaza and turning it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” 

In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump remarked, 

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too.” Netanyahu, in turn, called the idea "worth paying attention to."

Katz, supporting the plan, also stated that Gazans “should be allowed to enjoy freedom of exit and immigration” by land, sea, or air, suggesting that countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway—which have criticized the war—are legally bound to accept Gazans into their countries.

However, Katz did not elaborate on how this would work or whether Gazans would have the option to return to Gaza after the reconstruction.

Spain’s foreign minister has already rejected the proposal, which is further fueling the debate over the plan’s feasibility and its implications for Gaza’s future.

The controversy continues to unfold as world leaders and organizations grapple with the potential consequences of Trump’s plan.