United States President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy with his proposal to take control of Gaza, labeling the war-ravaged enclave as a "big real estate site" and suggesting that other Middle Eastern countries could handle its redevelopment.

Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday, Trump stated: "We are committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back. There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site."

Trump's remarks have been met with fierce backlash from Palestinian representatives and the international community, who view the proposal as dismissive of Palestinian sovereignty and aspirations. Despite Trump's claims that displaced Palestinians would prefer not to return to Gaza, his proposal has been widely rejected.

Izzat al-Risheq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, condemned Trump's proposal as "absurd," asserting: "Gaza is not a property that can be bought and sold, and it is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land. Dealing with the Palestinian issue with the mentality of a real estate dealer is a recipe for failure."

Hamas reiterated its opposition, declaring, "Our Palestinian people will thwart all displacement and deportation plans. Gaza belongs to its people."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's praise for Trump’s proposal as "revolutionary" and "creative" has only added to the controversy. Netanyahu's comments came hours after returning from talks with Trump in Washington, D.C.

Trump's audacious plan includes the notion of Washington taking over Gaza, transforming it into "the Riviera of the Middle East." Despite attempts by his administration to temper the backlash, Trump doubled down on his suggestion, claiming that resettlement of Palestinians would be temporary.

Critics highlight the numerous practical, legal, and ethical hurdles of Trump's plan, which has been condemned as a continuation of his real estate-driven approach to international politics. Neighboring states such as Egypt and Jordan have roundly rejected calls to take in displaced Palestinians, and Saudi Arabia has condemned the idea of using its land for a Palestinian state.

"The kingdom affirms that the Palestinian people have a right to their land, and they are not intruders or immigrants to it who can be expelled whenever the brutal Israeli occupation wishes," the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, denouncing Netanyahu's suggestion as an attempt to divert attention from Israel's ongoing crimes in Gaza.

Trump’s proposal and his dismissive attitude towards Palestinian rights underscore the deep-seated issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many argue that his approach exacerbates tensions and undermines prospects for a just and lasting peace. (ILKHA)