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 said the United States will take over and own the Gaza Strip and proposed that Palestinians should be permanently moved out of Gaza, stating that the war-ravaged region is uninhabitable and suggesting they should be rehoused in “a beautiful area”.
And, in a truly dramatic and unexpected moment, at a joint press conference with 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.
“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.”
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 analse where these proposals have come from as it runs counter to Trump’s 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.
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.”
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.”
He also said he will be visting Gaza himself.
US President Donald Trump points during a meeting with Israel’s prime minister (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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”.
The meeting was historic (Image: AP)
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 and Hamas, reports the
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 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.
Benjamin Netanyahu (R), accompanied by Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer (L) (Image: Getty Images)
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, ,” National Security adviser Mike Waltz declared on Fox News Tuesday. “No one did more for as President Trump did in his first term. It is not by accident that Bibi Netanyahu, the prime minister of , is the first foreign leader that is coming today. And look, we’re going to continue to get our hostages out.”