In brief
President Trump's proposal to take control of Gaza has sparked concerns due to legal and logistical hurdles, especially regarding the removal of unexploded ordnance left from recent conflicts.
In an ambitious statement last week, President Trump proposed a plan to take ownership of Gaza and tackle the pressing issue of unexploded munitions resulting from extensive Israeli airstrikes. He acknowledges the hazardous environment in Gaza, saying, "We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site." However, the plan quickly encounters a formidable obstacle: the legal implications of forcibly displacing the Palestinian population, which raises significant international law concerns.Furthermore, while Trump contemplates sending U.S. military forces to oversee operations in Gaza, federal legislation prohibits U.S. troops from engaging in demining activities. This responsibility traditionally lies with the State Department, which assigns non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to conduct these operations. As part of this strategy, these NGOs would likely play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of Gaza post-conflict.Unfortunately for the administration, a recent directive from the State Department has complicated matters. On January 25, federal authorities issued a stop-work order impacting all NGOs funded by the U.S. government for demining activities globally. This order means that many organizations which might have been tasked with clearing the extensive ordnance in Gaza are currently unable to operate.The exact number of bombs and munitions scattered throughout Gaza remains unclear, but investigations indicate that Israel had employed nearly 30,000 munitions in the initial weeks of conflict alone. As a result, pressure mounts on the Trump administration to find a viable solution to both establish a plan for Gaza's future and address the severe risk posed by unexploded weapons, all while navigating complex legal and diplomatic terrain.
