US Senators Reject Trump's Gaza Proposal, Anticipate Arab States' Alternative Plan

In a notable divergence from President Donald Trump's controversial proposal regarding Gaza, U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal dismissed the idea of forcibly seizing Gaza and expelling Palestinians. Their comments came after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reiterated his support for Trump’s vision.

While Netanyahu has expressed his backing for Trump’s proposal, which involves seizing Gaza and offering Palestinians the option to leave voluntarily, the U.S. lawmakers were not in agreement. Senator Graham, a key Republican with significant influence on foreign policy and national security, told reporters that there is "little appetite in the Senate for America to take over Gaza in any way, shape or form." Graham, a longtime ally of Trump, characterized the plan as unrealistic and unlikely to gain any support in Congress.

Senator Blumenthal, on the other hand, labeled the plan a "non-starter," signaling strong disapproval from the Democratic side as well.

Israeli Commitment to Voluntary Departure

Despite the rejection from U.S. lawmakers, Israeli officials have been actively pursuing the notion of Palestinians voluntarily leaving Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that the military was preparing a plan that would allow for Palestinians in Gaza to depart voluntarily, a move that Netanyahu reaffirmed on Monday. Katz went further, announcing the establishment of a directorate within the Israeli Ministry of Defense focused on facilitating the voluntary departure of Palestinians.

Regional Push for Alternative Solutions

Senator Graham noted that while Trump’s proposal sparked much debate, it also opened the door for a more nuanced discussion about Gaza’s future. According to Graham, Arab states have “woken up” to the need for a better solution for Gaza and are now in discussions to find an alternative to the controversial plan.

Top officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Egypt are expected to meet as early as this month to deliberate on the future of Gaza. The discussions aim to propose a plan that counters Trump’s proposal, which has raised alarm in Arab capitals and further deepened the tensions in the region.

Senator Blumenthal expressed confidence in the ability of Arab states to offer a viable solution. He shared that Jordan’s King Abdullah had convinced him that Arab countries would present a plan that includes components like normalizing ties with Israel, ensuring self-determination for Palestinians, and establishing regional defense arrangements for Israel’s security. Blumenthal believes that if such a plan is put forward, it could prove to be a "game changer" for the region.