US officials unite behind Trump plan for Gaza relocation and rebuilding plan

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s shocking announcement on Tuesday evening that America could take over the “day after” efforts in Gaza, relocating residents, renovating and rebuilding destroyed buildings, and creating the “Riviera of the Middle East,” several administration officials and Republican Congressional leaders have united behind the president’s suggestion. 

"The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too." –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/aCqLl9Gwwn

— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) February 5, 2025

While Trump proposed relocating most of Gaza's population – a suggestion swiftly criticized by some analysts and politicians as 'ethnic cleansing' – his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, questioned the notion that Gaza residents must be forced to remain in the destroyed enclave.

“Peace in the region means a better life for the Palestinians. A better life is not necessarily tied to the physical space that you are in today,” Witkoff told Fox News in an interview. 

“A better life is about better opportunity, better financial conditions, better aspirations for you and your family. That doesn’t occur because you get to pitch a tent in the Gaza Strip and you’re surrounded by 30,000 munitions that could go off at any moment,” Witkoff argued. 

“The president is saying, ‘Let’s make it better for these people. Let’s give them more hope. Let them make that choice.’ And I think he’s right,” Witkoff continued. 

Trump’s national security advisor, Mike Waltz, raised a similar point about the extensive destruction and risks due to unexploded ordinance in Gaza prior to the joint Trump-Netanyahu press conference. Waltz said, “President Trump is looking at this from a humanitarian standpoint.” 

“You have these people that are sitting with literally thousands of unexploded ordinance and piles of rubble,” he said. “At some point, we have to look realistically, how do you rebuild Gaza? What does that look like? What is the timeline? A lot of people were looking at very unrealistic timelines. We’re talking 10-15 years.” 

Witkoff, who spoke to reporters with Waltz, agreed with his timeline for rebuilding Gaza due to the level of destruction. 

“In any city of the United States of America, if you had damage that was a 100th of what I saw in Gaza,” he said, “nobody would be allowed to go back to their homes. That’s how dangerous it is.”

“There’s 30,000 unexploded munitions,” Witkoff claimed. “Buildings that could tip over at any moment. There’s no utilities there whatsoever. No working water. Electric. Gas. Nothing. God knows what kind of disease might be festering there.” 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a message on 𝕏, supporting Trump’s comments, stating: “Gaza must be free from Hamas.” 

Rubio also commented, “Make Gaza Beautiful Again,” a play on Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.” 

Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again. Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people.

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 5, 2025

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson also expressed his support for Trump’s “bold action.” 

The United States stands firmly with Israel and the people of the Middle East, which haven't experienced peace in many, many years. Violence and hatred do not have to define the region's future.

Today, President Trump took bold action in hopes of achieving lasting peace in… https://t.co/mk5FthXNZz

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 5, 2025

Johnson said that “Israel and the people of the Middle East…haven’t experienced peace in many, many years.” 

“Today, President Trump took bold action in hopes of achieving lasting peace in Gaza,” Johnson wrote.