President Donald Trump meets with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House tonight (Image: AP)
President Donald Trump today stunned the world as he declared the United States will take over and own the Gaza Strip and proposed that Palestinians should be permanently moved out of Gaza.
In an entirely unexpected move, Trump stated he would send US troops into the warzone and stated that the war-ravaged region is uninhabitable while suggesting Palestinians should be rehoused in « a beautiful area ».
And, in a truly dramatic and unexpected moment, at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tonight, Trump said he wants the US to take ownership of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere, in a move that will sow fear into the Palestinian people.
And at the press conference, Trump stunned the world by declaring: « I do see a long-term ownership position, » when asked about the US controlling the region for an extended period. Trump suggested that the US doing so would promote stability in the region and added, « This is not a decision made lightly. Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land. »
Reporters were sent scrambling to analyse where these proposals have come from as they seem to run counter to Trump’s previous seemingly isolationist position on US foreign policy. The idea that the US could take ownership of Gaza and occupy the land had never been heard before this press conference.
US President Donald Trump points during a meeting with Israel’s prime minister (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Trump is not ruling out sending US troops to secure Gaza, saying in response to a reporter’s question: « As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that. »
The Teflon Don is a property developer who is said to see the geopolitical world in terms of deals, like the world of business and he has previously talked about capitalising on Gaza’s coastal location and pleasant climate to create the perfect holiday destination. And he repeated his vision that the US could rebuild Gaza and turn it into « the Riviera of the Middle East », creating thousands of jobs and sparing Palestinians the pain and expense of rebuilding once again.
Trump seemed to slip into his real estate developer mode when he said he envisions people living in a redeveloped Gaza that « could be something that could be so valuable, this could be so magnificent. »
He said « most importantly, » the people that live there would be able to live in peace and added, « We’ll make sure that it’s done world class. »
He said he envisioned « Palestinians, mostly » living there but also described his vision for Gaza as « an international, unbelievable place » where « the world’s people » live.
« You can’t live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location, » Trump declared during an earlier meeting with Netanyahu in the Oval Office. « I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy. You look over the decades, it’s all death in Gaza. »
He indicated that the US will be making an announcement on possible Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank « in the next 4 weeks. » He claimed other countries in the Middle East agreed with him and, while he has not taken a decision « people do like the idea. »
Trump was clear he wants the US to take ownership of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it after resettling Palestinian people in other countries.
The president did not immediately offer details on how the US would manage the site and what it would do with it.
« The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, » Trump said.
He said the US would work to economically develop the area after cleaning out the destroyed buildings.
Trump says he and Netanyahu focused in their closed-door meeting on discussing how Hamas can be eliminated and restoring peace « to a troubled region. »
The meeting was historic (Image: AP)
Kicking off the joint press conference, Trump slammed his predecessor, Joe Biden, saying « nobody did anything for four years » in the Middle East except demonstrate incompetence.
« Unfortunately the weakness and incompetence of those years, » Trump said, triggered « grave damage » all over the globe.
He also said he will be visiting Gaza himself.
And, when challenged, he said his proposals have nothing to do with supporting a two-state solution to the Palestine issue.
The returning president compared the area to a « living hell. » He added: « I think they’ll be settled in areas where they can live a beautiful life and not be worried about dying every day. »
« Gaza is not a place for people to be living, and the only reason they want to go back, and I believe this strongly, is because they have no alternative, » Trump further stated.
He said the rebuilding of the shattered land and the ongoing occupation of it should not be left to « the same people ».
In the past, Trump has urged Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations to temporarily accommodate Palestinians from Gaza while reconstruction occurs following the conflict between Israel and Hamas, reports the Mirror US.
However, his comments on Tuesday were the first time he publicly suggested making such resettlement permanent. « I hope that we could do something where they wouldn’t want to go back, » Trump said.
« Who would want to go back? They’ve experienced nothing but death and destruction. »
Trump reiterated his stance, declaring that « nobody » wished to return after the severe campaign. « It’s too dangerous for people. Nobody can go there. It’s too dangerous, » he asserted.
« Nobody wants to be there. Warriors don’t want to be there. Soldiers don’t want to be there. How can you have people go back? You’re saying go back into Gaza now? The same thing’s going to happen. It’ll only be death. »
Despite the damage, Palestinians see Gaza as part of their future state and have consistently opposed being displaced. Many are determined to stay and reconstruct.
Trump gave Netanyahu a cordial reception (Image: Getty Images)
These remarks from Trump emerged as he gave Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a cordial reception at the White House on Tuesday, marking Netanyahu as the first foreign leader to visit during Trump’s second term.
Arriving around 4.20pm on Tuesday, Netanyahu was met with an exceptionally long handshake from Trump before the two proceeded into bilateral talks.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump’s Middle East envoy said that a three to five-year timeline for the reconstruction of Gaza is not a viable post-war plan for the battle-torn territory.
This first visit of a foreign leader during Trump’s second term comes amid lagging support for Netanyahu in Israel. The Israeli prime minister faces competing pressure from his right-wing coalition to end a temporary truce in Gaza and from war-weary Israelis who want the remaining hostages home and the 15-month conflict to end.
Benjamin Netanyahu (R), accompanied by Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer (L) (Image: Getty Images)
Netanyahu told the press that Trump follows through on promises that at first seem unbelievable.
« After the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and say, `You know, he’s right, »‘ Netanyahu said. He added that Israel, in its ongoing fight with Hamas, « will end the war by winning the war » and that « Israel‘s victory will be America’s victory. »
Netanyahu said of Trump: « You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House. »
CBS reported that on Sunday, Netanyahu suggested he and Trump would purportedly discuss a « victory over Hamas, » tackling Iran’s influence, and augmenting diplomatic ties with additional Arab countries.
« Trump is going to continue his support for our great ally, Israel, » National Security adviser Mike Waltz declared on Fox News Tuesday. « No one did more for Israel as President Trump did in his first term. It is not by accident that Bibi Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, is the first foreign leader that is coming today. And look, we’re going to continue to get our hostages out. »
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