UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Environment Secretary Steve Reed insists that Palestinians must return home, rejecting Trump’s controversial plan to relocate them for Gaza’s development.
The British government has rejected newly elected US President Donald Trump’s suggestions that Palestinians be moved and transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
What did Steve Reed say about Palestinians returning home and Trump’s Gaza proposal?
During an interview on Sky News with Kay Burley, Environment Secretary Steve Reed underlined that Britain’s position is for Palestinians to have the opportunity to “return to their homes and start the rebuilding process.”
He reiterated that Britain’s government is focused on “sustainable peace” in the region, which can only be achieved through a “two-state solution,” where Israel is secure and at peace with its neighbours and a sovereign Palestinian state exists.
However, Steve Reed refrained from condemning President Trump’s remarks, stating he would not engage in running commentary on the president’s statements.
When asked if his comments were disparaging, he responded, “Not at all,” further adding that Mr Trump should be praised for his efforts in securing the ceasefire initially.
What did Trump say about taking over Gaza and relocating Palestinians?
Speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, U.S. President Trump declared that the U.S. would “take over” Gaza, calling it a “demolition site.” He further added that the two million Palestinians currently residing in the area should be relocated to “various domains.”
When asked about the possibility of deploying US forces to secure Gaza, President Trump responded, “We’ll do what’s necessary.” He then went on to share his plans for Gaza, stating that the U.S. would
“develop the region, generate thousands of jobs,”
and transform it into
“a project the entire Middle East will take pride in.”
Mr. Trump reaffirmed his controversial suggestion from January 25, stating that Palestinians could be resettled in Egypt and Jordan. This plan has been dismissed by both nations, along with Saudi Arabia and Palestinian authorities.
In response to whether Egypt or Jordan would agree to accept Palestinians, President Trump was confident they would.
What did shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel say about Gaza’s future and Trump’s comments?
Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, responded to Donald Trump’s comments regarding the US taking control of Gaza and relocating Palestinians, stating that the situation in the Middle East is “very delicate” and credited Trump for his “instrumental” role in securing the ceasefire.
Ms Patel stressed that the “main priority right now” is to free the Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas, and only then can efforts be made to
“start to work towards that peace and stability that is desperately needed in that part of the world.”
She refrained from commenting on Mr Trump’s remarks regarding relocating Palestinians but insisted the UK should play its role in rebuilding Gaza and addressing its future government, excluding Hamas.
What did defence analyst, Tobias Ellwood say about Trump’s Gaza plan and its potential impact?
Tobias Ellwood, a former Conservative MP and defence analyst, called the Trump proposal
“quite baffling, even by Trump’s standards.”
He added that it
“has taken many by surprise, even in Washington.”
Mr Ellwood argued that the proposed plans would violate the Geneva Conventions and Oslo Accords, effectively putting an end to any hopes for a two-state solution.
He stated that to put the plan into action, it would require a force of around 50,000 US troops in the Middle East for several years, which would be in direct dispute with Hamas.
What is the Hamas and Israel conflict?
Hamas is a militant group that attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people. According to local officials, Israeli forces killed around 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza as a result of this response.
In January 2025, both Hamas and Israel reached a deal to end the conflict and agreed to the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.