Gazans’ Relocation Would Be Temporary, Marco Rubio Says
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that President Donald Trump’s proposed resettlement of Gaza’s population would only be temporary. Trump’s proposal suggested that the U.S. would “take over” Gaza and resettle around two million Palestinians living there—a plan that has faced widespread criticism from the United Nations, human rights organizations, and Arab leaders.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt further clarified that the U.S. does not intend to deploy “boots on the ground” in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz supported the proposal, stating that Gazans should be given “freedom of exit and immigration,” but provided few details on how this would be implemented.
During a trip to Guatemala, Marco Rubio described Trump’s proposal as not “hostile” but a “generous move,” showing the U.S.’s willingness to take responsibility for Gaza’s reconstruction. He explained that the idea was for Gazans to leave the region temporarily while debris was cleared and reconstruction took place.
Under international law, forcibly transferring populations from occupied territories is strictly prohibited.
Karoline Leavitt told journalists at the White House that the president is committed to rebuilding Gaza and relocating its residents “temporarily” during the process.
Trump had said on Tuesday that the displacement would be permanent.
Leavitt also stated that the president had not committed to sending “boots on the ground” to Gaza but did not rule out the presence of U.S. troops there.
These comments came after Trump proposed taking control of Gaza and transforming it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a good job with it,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the idea “worth paying attention to.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also praised the proposal, adding that Gazans “should be allowed to enjoy freedom of exit and immigration” by land, sea, or air. He claimed that countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway—critics of the war—are “legally obligated” to allow Gaza’s residents to enter their territories.
He did not explain how the proposal would work or whether Gazans would be able to return after reconstruction.
Spain’s foreign minister has rejected the suggestion entirely.
