Trump's plans are facing a setback.

Source: China News Agency, compiled from Reference News, CCTV News, Xinhua, etc.

According to the website of The New York Times on February 21, U.S. President Trump seemed to abandon his Gaza plan on February 21. Earlier, Trump proposed the "emptying Gaza" idea on January 25, saying he hoped Egypt and Jordan would accept and accommodate Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip.

Then, after proposing the "emptying Gaza", Trump made a shocking statement publicly that he would take over Gaza. On February 9, Trump said he would treat the Gaza Strip as a "large real estate plot". Trump said the U.S. would buy and own the plot and develop it slowly.

But during an interview with Fox News Channel host Brian Kilmeade on February 21, Trump seemed to admit that he failed to persuade the leaders of Egypt and Jordan to accept the Palestinian people from Gaza, which would make his idea impossible to implement.

Trump told Fox News Channel host Brian Kilmeade: "Well, we give Jordan and Egypt billions of dollars every year. I was a little surprised they would say no, but they did."

He added: "I'll tell you, how to do it is my plan. I think that's the real effective plan. But I'm not going to force anyone to do it. I'm just sitting back and watching and recommending the plan."

It was reported that Trump's Gaza plan was one of the most "brazen" foreign policy proposals by a U.S. president in office, and his latest remarks were a stunning reversal. Several weeks ago, Trump's government officials tried to downplay his proposal, but Trump insisted he was serious.

Despite Trump's description of "taking over Gaza" as a "post-war reconstruction" plan, the proposal has been opposed by many. The Saudi government issued a statement emphasizing that it would not recognize Israel until a Palestinian state was established, and would not accept any attempt to expel Palestinians from their land.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said that asking Palestinians to leave Gaza would only cause chaos and tension in the region. Trump's "emptying Gaza" proposal also drew clear opposition from several Arab countries and the Arab League (AL) after he proposed it.

Opinions are generally held that the Gaza Strip is internationally recognized as Palestinian territory, and the U.S. "taking over" and "owning" Gaza lacks legal basis, which will seriously undermine and destroy international law and international order.