Trump Unveils New Gaza Plan in AI-Generated Video: How It Could Impact U.S. Foreign Policy

CNN —

Recently, former President Donald Trump shared a striking video on his Truth Social account. The video, seemingly made with AI, imagines Gaza as a luxurious resort, complete with a statue of Trump and an amusing depiction of Elon Musk enjoying hummus. In this imaginary scene, American and Israeli leaders are seen relaxing on a beach.

The video’s soundtrack features a catchy tune that promotes the notion of a new, carefree life in Gaza: “No more tunnels, no more fear! Trump Gaza is finally here!”

Trump has suggested relocating 2.1 million Palestinians to reshape Gaza into a U.S.-owned “Riviera.” This idea has sparked fierce criticism. The Palestinian Authority has labeled it a “serious violation of international law.” Their foreign minister, Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen, emphasized the painful history of displacement during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

The video begins with barefoot Palestinian children navigating through debris in Gaza. “What’s next?” a text card asks as they approach a skyline filled with tall buildings.

A voice in the video proclaims, “Donald’s coming to set you free,” promising a bright future. It also features quirky visuals like belly dancers and children holding balloon replicas of Trump’s head.

As the video closes, it zooms in on Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enjoying drinks at the beach.

In response, Gaza’s Hamas-run Government Media Office condemned the video, calling it “disgraceful.” Ismail Al-Thawabtah, the director-general, criticized it for depicting Gaza as uninhabited and disregarding the suffering of its people.

It remains uncertain whether Trump plans to pursue his controversial proposal. After pushback from leaders in Egypt and Jordan, he mentioned to Fox News that he’ll simply recommend the idea but won’t force it.

Wassel Abu Yousuf from the Palestine Liberation Organization dismissed the video as trivial. He stressed that there is no way resorts or a “Middle East Riviera” would be built on Palestinian land.

A recent CNN poll revealed that only 13% of Americans view Trump’s Gaza plan positively, while 58% disapprove. This sentiment reflects widespread concern about the potential impact on Palestinian people.

Arab leaders recently gathered in Riyadh to discuss a collective response to Trump’s proposal. Plans for a follow-up meeting in Cairo are underway to further craft an alternative strategy for Gaza’s future.

In lighter news, a senior official from the United Arab Emirates noted the need for a bold reconstruction plan in Gaza, but stressed that it must include pathways to a Palestinian state. While the UAE is exploring its role in rebuilding efforts, conditions for significant collaboration, such as a reformed Palestinian Authority, haven’t been met yet.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has rejected the idea of an independent Palestinian state, aligning with Trump’s vision for Gaza. Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s diplomatic adviser, echoed concerns about avoiding future conflicts, emphasizing a clear path to statehood for Palestinians as crucial for any reconstruction plans.

Egypt has been proactive in proposing an alternative strategy for Gaza. They estimate that their plan would require three years and around $20 billion to implement. Egyptian officials have firmly stated that the right of Palestinians to their land is a fundamental principle that cannot be ignored.

CNN’s Kareem Khadder contributed to this report.

Correction: This story has been updated to clarify the timing of Trump’s post.

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