WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump is pursuing credit for the ceasefire contract that halted the war in Gaza, but the US president’s proposal to forcibly drive away Palestinians on his territory risks turning the agreement into a torpedo.
Trump repeatedly called for Gaza to be depopulated this week — a push from rights groups saying it would amount to ethnic cleansing, and the US “taking over” Palestinian territory.
Leaders around the world have warned that uprooting Palestinians from Gaza would destabilize the entire Middle East. More quickly, Trump’s comments could drive a push to a lasting end to a battle on the territory.
“President Trump is calling for a completely outrageous and strange call for the ethnic cleansing of more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, which can seriously undermine the possibility of a ceasefire continuing.”
“Of course, ethnic cleansing for Palestinians is not a ceasefire agreement, and Trump will stand to destroy a highly vulnerable process by putting that option on the table.”
The ceasefire came into effect on January 19th, when Trump took office in the second term. However, the US president argued that his negotiation efforts led by Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkoff helped seal the deal.
Trump sparked a ceasefire in his inaugural speech as he pledged to quit his legacy as “peacemaker and unity.”
“We had nothing to do with that.”
A few days later, Trump proposed emptying Gaza from residents. Initially it was easy to dismiss the comment as one of his off-cuff, hyperbolic pronunciations.
But he did it over and over again. On Tuesday, he read a preparatory statement that embodied his proposal while speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will work with it too. We own it,” Trump said.
Despite Trump’s comments, the ceasefire continues to be held. The guns remain silent and Hamas plans to release three more Israeli prisoners in the coming days in exchange for the 183 Palestinians held by Israel.
However, the US President’s proposal raises questions about the later stages of the armistice agreement, including debate about the future of Gaza.
Stage 1 – The release of 33 Israeli prisoners, the surge in humanitarian assistance to Gaza and partial Israeli withdrawal from the territory are set to expire on March 1st.
In the second phase, you should see the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, and the release of all prisoners of war that Hamas holds. The third phase includes Gaza’s five-year reconstruction plan.
Trump’s push for the people of Gaza to leave their territory forever appears to be directly in conflict with the spirit of agreement.
And there are indications that the US administration is no longer committed to every part of the deal it boasts about intermediary.
On Tuesday, Trump envoy Witkov proposed that Washington complete the first two stages to free all Israeli prisoners. But he appeared to be saying that he would rebuild the third phase, Gaza – “We can’t do the way that agreement is a five-year program.”
Witkov has completely shunned the Trump team from the deal, saying it wasn’t “great” from the start.
“We had nothing to do with that,” he said.
“That’s gone.”
US officials have tried to return Trump’s comments and at least tone down. White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt said Gaza people would “temporarily move.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said the evacuation of Palestinians in Gaza was “tentative” and that residents could “return” after the reconstruction.
However, the president has reiterated almost every day this week that his plan is to permanently remove the Palestinians of Gaza and assert US territory.
Khalil Jahshan, executive director of Arab Centre Washington, DC, said Trump’s proposal was doomed for a ceasefire.
“What I heard from the White House this week was my humble judgment and completely killed the ceasefire agreement. Jahshan told Al Jazeera.
“It took away the purpose of that purpose: the ceasefire agreement, the solution to the Gaza and the day for the people of Gaza. If the people of Gaza are ethnically transferred from Indonesia to Albania, anything, then the lawsuit is in place. What is the purpose?”
Trump himself suggests that the war could soon resume.
“The strike could begin tomorrow,” Trump said Tuesday. “I don’t often get hit.”
Since October 2023, Israel’s US-backed attacks in Gaza have killed nearly 62,000 Palestinians, including thousands of missing people estimated to have died.
But why did Trump stress his credibility in a ceasefire that he wasn’t intended to support?
“Donald Trump is not interested in a ceasefire for the well-being of Palestinians,” said Middle East analyst Khaled Elgindi.
“He’s interested in the headlines of a ceasefire. He wants credits. He says, ‘I won. I’m the guy who did it.’ He actually did it, I don’t care whether it’s falling apart, or whether it ends with the cleansing of the people. ”
Netanyahu’s war goals
Elgindi said the second phase of the contract (a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces) is essential to block ethnic cleansing programs.
“The ceasefire is certainly not inconsistent in its face with the plan that the ceasefire will ethnically cleanse Gaza,” Elgindi told Al Jazeera.
“This is why I think Phase 2 is so important. If Phase 2 is agreed and Phase 2 is implemented, I think the actual risk of ethnic cleansing has been significantly reduced. ”
Elgindi added that Trump doesn’t help a ceasefire of “crazy” about Gaza’s future, but looking at the deal has its own dynamics.
When asked about a ceasefire at the White House this week, Netanyahu promised to continue pursuing three war goals: freeing prisoners, destroying Hamas’ troops, and governing capabilities.
After more than 15 months of war after the ceasefire, Hamas fighters appeared throughout Gaza. And it appears that the group still oversees the territorial civil government.
Netanyahu could see his collapse of the governing coalition if Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who supports resuming the war, withdraws from the government.
“At this point, Netanyahu already knows if he wants a ceasefire — Phase 2 – and Donald Trump already knows if he will go along with Netanyahu’s decision,” Elgindi says Al Jazeera He spoke to.
For Jahshan, Netanyahu informed the plan when he repeatedly repeated his intentions to continue pursuing war goals.
“The statement Netanyahu made in Trump’s presence without Trump’s objection is essentially a declaration of war and will soon resume war. For me, it is probably the most likely scenario.” He told Al Jazeera.
