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Argument An expert’s point of view on a current event. The Arab World Sees Trump’s Gaza Plan As a Declaration of War A U.S. takeover and expulsion of Palestinians could lead to revolutions and regime collapse. By Hala Rharrit , a former U.S. diplomat, who served for 18 years with the U.S. State Department, before resigning in April 2024 in opposition to the Biden administration’s Gaza policy. U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 4. U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 4. Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / Middle East Images/ AFP via Getty Images My FP: Follow topics and authors to get straight to what you like. Exclusively for FP subscribers. Subscribe Now | Log In United States February 6, 2025, 12:11 PM Comment icon View Comments ( 0 ) I can attest, as a veteran U.S. diplomat specializing in the Middle East, that President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will “take over the Gaza Strip” is tantamount to a declaration of war. At least, that’s how it is seen across the Arab world. Trump’s Second Term Ongoing reports and analysis The Trump administration has undermined its own early victory. It entered office taking credit for the Gaza cease-fire, which had begun to defuse tensions in the Middle East. Yet the announcement of a plan that would entail expelling Palestinians and a U.S. occupation of Gaza has again put a direct target on the United States’ back. I can attest, as a veteran U.S. diplomat specializing in the Middle East, that President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will “take over the Gaza Strip” is tantamount to a declaration of war. At least, that’s how it is seen across the Arab world. Trump’s Second Term Ongoing reports and analysis The Trump administration has undermined its own early victory. It entered office taking credit for the Gaza cease-fire, which had begun to defuse tensions in the Middle East. Yet the announcement of a plan that would entail expelling Palestinians and a U.S. occupation of Gaza has again put a direct target on the United States’ back. Arab leaders from across the region have firmly rejected the plan. Egypt and Jordan have both come out strongly against any forced relocation of Gazans, while Saudi Arabia issued a statement affirming that Palestinian statehood is a nonnegotiable; without it, there will be no Saudi normalization with Israel. Trump’s assertion that Arab states can simply take in Palestinian refugees forcibly kicked out of Gaza would be implicating those leaders in Palestine’s ethnic cleansing—and that would be suicide for regimes across the Middle East. Protests continue to erupt in many parts of the Arab world, from Morocco to Jordan, condemning regional leaders for not doing enough to protect Palestinian civilians. In countries that are already economically and politically volatile, this level of social unrest, combined with a forced influx of Palestinian refugees, would be extremely destabilizing and destructive. What Trump is suggesting has the potential to unleash revolutions and provoke state collapse in the Middle East. This plan will not bring peace. It is a threat to U.S. national security and will only ensure a vicious cycle of violence for Israelis and Palestinians. The only solution has always been and will remain diplomacy, an end to illegal occupation, and Palestinian self-determination in accordance with international law. This post is part of FP’s ongoing coverage of the Trump administration . Follow along here . My FP: Follow topics and authors to get straight to what you like. Exclusively for FP subscribers. Subscribe Now | Log In United States Hala Rharrit served as a diplomat for 18 years with the U.S. State Department, before resigning in April 2024 in opposition to the Biden administration’s Gaza policy. She is an expert in Middle East and North African affairs and U.S. relations with the region. Read More On Donald Trump | Egypt | Gaza | Israel | Jordan | Palestine | Saudi Arabia | U.S. Military | United States | War Join the Conversation Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription. Already a subscriber? Log In . Subscribe Subscribe View 0 Comments Join the Conversation Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now. Subscribe Subscribe Not your account? Log out View 0 Comments Join the Conversation Please follow our comment guidelines , stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others’ beliefs. You are commenting as . 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