Trump PRESSURES Israel For ‘Gaza Deal’!?
President Trump is reportedly pressuring Israeli leaders to endorse a major Gaza deal, setting off intense speculation and diplomatic alarm.
At a Glance
• A Newsweek insider says Trump told Israeli counterparts “the time is right” for a deal on Gaza.
• Trump previously proposed the U.S. take temporary control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians, prompting accusations of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.
• His Gaza Strip plan included transforming the territory into a “Riviera of the Middle East” and relocating its 2 million residents, sparking international backlash.
• The Gaza ceasefire beginning January 19 broke down in March, increasing urgency around any new agreement.
• Trump allies suggest that reviving Gaza negotiations now could reshape U.S.–Middle East relations ahead of his potential return to office.
Trump Signals Urgency to Israel
According to an exclusive report by Newsweek, Trump has been actively telling Israeli officials “the time is right” to revisit a Gaza deal, though specifics remain unclear. The insider described Trump’s messaging as focused on leveraging the current pause in fighting and shifting geopolitical currents.
Trump’s proposal to oversee Gaza reconstruction followed the January ceasefire, during which the U.S. helped broker a fragile truce. The plan, which called for the U.S. to temporarily “take over” Gaza and resettle its population elsewhere, was immediately condemned as a violation of international norms. Critics labeled the move “ethnic cleansing” and warned it would breach the Geneva Conventions.
Watch a report: Trump Pushes Gaza Deal in Exclusive Interviews
What’s at Stake in Gaza
Trump’s February proposal envisioned transforming the territory into a luxury zone dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East,” displacing Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinian residents. While aides later claimed the relocation would be “temporary,” the international community reacted harshly. Arab League diplomats, U.N. officials, and human rights groups warned the plan violated humanitarian law and amounted to forced displacement.
The January 2025 ceasefire collapsed in March following renewed Israeli airstrikes that killed over 400 Palestinians. In the aftermath, both the Trump and Biden camps recommitted to stabilization efforts, but no coherent strategy has emerged. If Trump revives negotiations now, it could realign American–Israeli strategic priorities ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
Broader Diplomatic Fallout
The Trump campaign’s Middle East posture has already affected U.S. foreign policy norms. U.S.–Palestinian relations are under renewed scrutiny after statements from Ambassador Mike Huckabee suggested Washington may no longer pursue a traditional two-state solution. He hinted instead that a Palestinian state “might emerge elsewhere,” reinforcing Trump’s earlier calls for population transfers.
If Trump succeeds in pressing Israel into a Gaza deal aligned with his earlier plan, it could mark a seismic shift in U.S. policy and reignite regional instability—complicating America’s standing with allies and adversaries alike.