Tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and surrounding countries, have always run high. Disagreements over control of territory and religious beliefs have fueled the growing division between the nations.
A territory occupying 140 square miles, known as the Gaza Strip, has been at the heart of discussion and conflict throughout the world. Most recently, conflicts have flared up after the events that transpired on Oct. 7, where Palestinian military groups began coordinated attacks on the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Since the attacks, both Israeli and Palestinian forces have launched counter-attacks, leaving the Gaza Strip a highly contested area with countless lives lost and displaced.
Newly-elected President Donald Trump has promised to end conflicts in Gaza by taking full control over the strip. Initially, his plan looked to remove Palentisians from the strip and work towards reconstruction with US funds. One aspect of his controversial plan was turning the war-torn land into an international beach resort, a so-called “rivera” of the Middle East. Trump believes the land is not the Palestinians’ and is in need of “repurposing.”
“When I first heard about Trump’s plan to turn the strip into a resort, I thought it was a joke,” junior Will Kresile said.
This expulsion would result in the displacement of around two million Palestinians from the strip. This displacement would also put the burden of housing the refugees on neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan.
Foreign responses to his plan have caused backlash against the US. Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan as well as European nations such as Britain and Germany have all spoken out against Trump’s plan to immediately remove the occupying Palestianians. A major set-back to his plan is the potential prospect of ethnic-cleansing. The fear of forcibly removing a particular ethnicity has made Trump’s plan receive fallout from countries around the world.
Recently, President Trump has released statements backing down from his plan. A lack of support from Egypt and Jordan to house the expelled Palentines makes Trump’s plan nearly impossible.
“I think it’s good that President Trump is not actually imposing his agenda to take over the Gaza Strip,” senior Carly Hangliter said. “It would leave the Palentinians without a clear home for the time being.”
Arab nations have been in talks with each other and the U.S. to try and reach an alternative solution. All parties ultimately hope to work towards an eventual cease-fire in the Middle East. The years of conflict between Israel and surrounding countries continue to make this an issue that unfortunately does not have a black and white solution.
“Having two clear areas for Israel and Palestine is the best solution in my opinion,” junior Zack Nagurney said.
The two-state solution, where the land is split between Israel and Palestine, is popular among foreign leaders. But strong political polarity and gridlock has made any real, significant progress difficult.
