U.S. President Donald Trump’s shocking proposal to take over Gaza and clear the territory of its Palestinian population has sparked widespread controversy and concern. According to reports, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, played a key role in crafting the plan, which was announced during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Sources cited by Puck News reveal that Kushner was instrumental in formulating the proposal, including helping prepare Trump’s remarks. These sources also claim that Netanyahu did not specifically request such a plan from Trump before the announcement, raising questions about how much influence Kushner may have had over the decision.
Kushner’s past comments and involvement in Middle East diplomacy give further insight into his potential influence on the Gaza plan. During a speech last year at Harvard University, Kushner appeared to allude to the idea of removing Gaza’s population. “Gaza’s waterfront property – it could be very valuable, if people would focus on building up livelihoods,” he said, adding that “from Israel’s perspective, I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up.” While Kushner did not explicitly advocate for a U.S. takeover at the time, his words seem to align with Trump’s recent proposal.
The plan, which has received widespread criticism, would involve forcibly removing Gaza’s population and potentially relocating them to other regions, while the U.S. would assume control of the territory. International law experts have condemned the idea, with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk calling it a violation of international law. Deporting people from occupied territories, as suggested in Trump’s plan, is strictly prohibited under humanitarian law.
The proposal has stirred outrage across the globe, with the UN and human rights groups calling for adherence to international law and a commitment to peace. Turk emphasized that the focus should be on releasing hostages, ending the war, and reconstructing Gaza with full respect for human rights.
Kushner’s influence on Trump’s Middle East policies is not new. As a key figure in the Trump administration’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan, Kushner played a prominent role in shaping U.S. policy in the region, which was heavily criticized for favoring Israel and sidelining Palestinian concerns. His approach to Gaza, as demonstrated by his comments, suggests that he prioritizes territorial control and economic development over addressing the region’s deep-rooted political and humanitarian challenges.
