Trump's recently unveiled Gaza policy sparks discord among the United States' Arab partners, as portrayed by K.C. Singh.

The Gaza Strip, a region that has been a focal point of international concern for decades, has once again found itself at the centre of a contentious political debate. This time, the instigator is none other than former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump presented a controversial Gaza "solution" at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, proposing the permanent resettlement of Gaza's Palestinian population in another country, with the United States redeveloping it into the "Riviera of the Middle East."

The proposal, which was met with international outrage, abandoned the two-state solution to the issue, a move that has global support, including of past U.S. Presidents. Critics argued that the plan ignored the historical, cultural, political, and humanitarian dimensions of the issue, and was reminiscent of the displacement of Palestinians in 1948.

The proposal was swiftly rejected by Egypt, Jordan, major European nations, the United Nations, the 20-nation Arab League, and the Gulf Coordination Council. Several Arab and European states opposed Trump's proposal for relocating Gaza's population, while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported it. No country has expressed willingness to host the displaced Palestinians so far.

The Gaza Strip, a region that has been under Israel's blockade, controlling access and airspace, has been described as a de facto open jail. The Israeli repression, as seen in the First Intifada in 1987, has long been a source of tension in the region.

The proposal undermined the Abraham Accords, negotiated during Mr. Trump's first term, to further normalise Israel-Arab relations. The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel further complicated the situation, straining relations between the U.S., Israel, and various Arab states.

The Gaza issue is not a new one for the U.S. President. Trump inherited the Gaza Strip crisis, along with the war in Ukraine, upon taking office. His initial approach was to support a ceasefire, but he quickly lifted sanctions on far-right individuals and settlers' groups in Israel, leading to increased targeting of Palestinians in the West Bank.

The history of the Gaza Strip is deeply rooted in conflict. The 1967 Arab-Israeli war resulted in the eviction of nearly 75,000 Gaza residents, constituting a quarter of the population. The 1993 Oslo Accords gave the Palestinians a semi-autonomous though moth-eaten state, but the electoral victory of Hamas in 2007 created permanent fissures in the Palestinian movement.

Trump's Gaza proposal has forced long-time American allies like the UAE to side with Saudi Arabia, which had resisted normalising ties with Israel. The proposal has also highlighted the complexities and sensitivities involved in Middle Eastern politics, underscoring the need for a nuanced and diplomatic approach.

As the region continues to grapple with the fallout from Trump's proposal, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the days, weeks, and months ahead. One thing is certain: the Gaza Strip will continue to be a focal point of international attention and concern.