Fact Check: Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump have plan to annex a northern part of Gaza Strip

Fact Check: "Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump have plan to annex a northern part of Gaza Strip"

What We Know

The claim that Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have a plan to annex a northern part of the Gaza Strip is rooted in discussions surrounding the Trump administration's proposals for Gaza. In early February 2025, Trump suggested a controversial plan that involved the U.S. taking control of Gaza, which included the idea of relocating its Palestinian population. This proposal was made during a meeting with Netanyahu, where Trump described Gaza as "a demolition site" that could be transformed into "the Riviera of the Middle East" (source-2).

The discussions have included notions of forced transfer of Palestinians, which has been met with significant backlash and is considered a violation of international law (source-4). The Trump administration's officials later attempted to clarify that there was no commitment to using U.S. troops for this plan, indicating that any relocation of Palestinians would be temporary (source-2).

Analysis

The claim is partially true as it reflects real discussions and proposals made by Trump and Netanyahu regarding Gaza. However, the specifics of annexation as traditionally understood—permanent incorporation of territory—are not explicitly confirmed in the sources. The Trump administration's proposal was characterized as a takeover of Gaza, which implies a significant shift in control but does not necessarily equate to a formal annexation in the legal sense (source-3).

The reliability of the sources varies. The New York Times and BBC are reputable news organizations that provide detailed accounts of the discussions and the reactions from various stakeholders, including international responses (source-2, source-3). In contrast, some sources like Al Jazeera and The Independent focus on the implications of the proposed plans, emphasizing the potential humanitarian crises and legal violations (source-4, source-6).

While the discussions about a plan to take control of Gaza are real, the term "annex" may not fully capture the nuances of what was proposed, as it suggests a permanence that the Trump administration did not explicitly commit to.

Conclusion

The verdict is Partially True. While there is a basis for the claim regarding discussions between Netanyahu and Trump about taking control of Gaza, the specifics of annexation are not clearly defined in the proposals. The plans involve significant political and humanitarian implications, but the terminology used may not accurately reflect the legal status or intentions behind the proposals.

Sources

1. 2020 Trump Israel–Palestine plan
2. Trump Officials Try to Walk Back Gaza Takeover Plan
3. Why does Trump want to take over Gaza and could he do it?
4. Netanyahu, Trump discuss forced transfer of Palestinians
5. Gazans reject Trump's displacement plan despite destruction
6. Inside Netanyahu’s bleak plan for Gaza
7. Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' plan is the most outlandish idea in ...
8. Netanyahu Calls Trump's Gaza Plan 'Only Viable' Option