• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed President Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and transform the territory into a luxury waterfront zone. The endorsement came during Netanyahu’s White House visit, where both leaders framed the idea as a pathway to peace—while critics warn of international backlash and deeper regional instability.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday praised President Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop the territory into a “Riviera of the Middle East,” calling it a “brilliant vision” during a White House dinner with the U.S. president.

“It’s called free choice,” Netanyahu said. “You know, if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.”

Netanyahu added that both the U.S. and Israel are actively working with unnamed third-party nations to facilitate resettlement options for displaced Palestinians. “They want to give the Palestinians a better future,” he said. “I think we’re getting close to finding several countries… This will give them the freedom to choose.”

Netanyahu Endorses Relocation Plan Amid Peace Push

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The idea of relocating Palestinians, floated by Trump earlier this year, has sparked international outrage. Human rights organizations and Arab governments labeled it ethnic cleansing. Trump’s initial comments suggested the U.S. could take control of Gaza and turn it into an upscale resort. Though he walked back that assertion, the proposal continues to stir backlash, particularly in Europe and across the Arab League.

Despite the controversy, Netanyahu leaned into Trump’s vision as part of a broader strategy to secure Israeli control over Gaza and sidestep calls for a fully sovereign Palestinian state.

“We’ll work out a peace with our Palestinian neighbors, those who don’t want to destroy us,” Netanyahu said. “And we’ll work out a peace in which our security, the sovereign power of security, always remains in our hands.”

Trump Seeks Nobel Prize and Regional Deals

During their White House dinner, Netanyahu told Trump he had submitted a letter to the Nobel Prize Committee nominating the president for a Peace Prize—an apparent nod to Trump’s past complaints that his achievements in the Middle East, including the Abraham Accords, were ignored by what he’s called a “left-wing” committee.

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Trump compared his recent decision to launch airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites to President Truman’s use of atomic bombs in 1945. “It reminded people of a certain other event,” Trump said. “But that stopped a lot of fighting, and this stopped a lot of fighting.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the two leaders discussed the ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, which are being facilitated in Qatar with U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediation. Special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Doha this week to help finalize terms of a hostage release and temporary truce.

“The utmost priority for the president right now in the Middle East is to end the war in Gaza and to return all of the hostages,” Leavitt said.

Hostage Talks Stalled by Hamas Leadership Change

While Trump predicted Sunday that a breakthrough could occur within the week, significant obstacles remain. Hamas has a new commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddid, who reportedly opposes releasing all remaining Israeli hostages without a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.

Israeli officials estimate about 250 hostages were taken during Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks. Roughly 20 are believed to still be alive. The war has claimed over 56,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Gaza health ministry, and displaced millions.

Israel has made clear that any final agreement must include Hamas disarming, surrendering, or going into exile—terms the militant group has rejected outright.

Netanyahu’s Diplomatic Offensive Gains Ground

Netanyahu’s White House visit marked his third meeting with Trump since the president returned to office in January. Earlier in the day, the Israeli leader met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. He is scheduled to meet House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Tuesday.

In a signal of growing U.S.-Israeli alignment, the Biden-era sanctions on Syria were formally ended last month under a Trump executive order. The move is part of a broader campaign to integrate Syria into the Abraham Accords framework. U.S. officials claim Israel and Syria are engaged in “meaningful” discussions to ease tensions along their shared border.

“He views this part of the region as having a real chance of being peaceful and prosperous,” Leavitt said of Trump. “But again, we need to end this war. We need to get all the hostages home.”

Regional Tensions Escalate With Iran Proxies

Just hours before Netanyahu’s arrival, the Israeli military launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, a proxy group backed by Iran. The attacks targeted ports and military facilities in response to a drone assault on a commercial vessel near the Red Sea.

“The fate of Yemen is the same as the fate of Tehran,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on X, referencing Israel’s recent 12-day bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear assets.

The military confirmed multiple Israeli soldiers were wounded in northern Gaza on Monday when Hamas fighters detonated an explosive device targeting an armored vehicle.

Political Fallout and Public Reaction

As the leaders dined, around two dozen protesters demonstrated outside the White House, decrying Netanyahu’s campaign in Gaza and calling for a ceasefire. Inside, however, the tone remained celebratory, with both leaders touting their close partnership and shared commitment to reshaping the region.

“The opportunity to expand the circle of peace,” Netanyahu said, “extends far beyond what we could have imagined before.”

Will Trump and Netanyahu’s vision for Gaza bring peace and prosperity—or will it ignite deeper unrest across the Middle East?

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