President Trump is doubling down on his proposal for the United States to seize Gaza, saying the besieged territory would be “turned over” to the U.S. by Israel after it concludes its war. Trump made the remarks on Truth Social, writing, “The Palestinians … would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region. They would actually have a chance to be happy, safe, and free. No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed!” The Wall Street Journal reported Pentagon officials have received no formal request to draft a plan for U.S. troop deployment to Gaza. Meanwhile, even some Republicans have come out in opposition, including Senator Lindsey Graham, who said other Senate Republicans opposed sending U.S. troops to Gaza.

Residents of Gaza compared Trump’s plan to the 1948 Nakba and the violent displacement of Palestinians from their land over the past several decades.

Tamer Labad: “I believe that this plan is destined to fail. Why? Because since the occupation of Palestine in 1948, this project has been proposed by occupiers and nations that support occupation regarding the issue of displacing the population of the Gaza Strip, but failed due to the steadfastness of our people in the face of this decision. Of course, the occupation will also fail in this war of extermination that began on October 7, 2023.”

Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement, as Israeli soldiers shot dead two Palestinians, including a child, in southern Gaza Wednesday.