Trump reveals intention to control Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera” of the Middle East!
US President Donald Trump announced, on Tuesday evening, Washington time, his country’s intention to seize the Gaza Strip, shortly after he proposed permanently resettling the Strip’s residents in other countries.
Trump’s statement came during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following bilateral talks at the White House.
There was no immediate comment from the Palestinian side regarding these unprecedented statements by the US President.
Trump said, “The United States will take control of Gaza, and we will do a mission there as well”.
He added, “We’ll launch an economic development plan in the sector that aims to provide an unlimited number of jobs and housing for the residents of the area”.
Trump claimed that Gaza could become the “Riviera” of the Middle East after his country takes control of it and develops it.
Trump didn’t rule out however, the possibility of deploying US forces to support the reconstruction of Gaza, expecting the United States to have long-term ownership in Gaza.
He reiterated that the Gaza Strip shouldn’t be reconstructed and then the same force (Hamas) should be brought back to control the area so that the residents can return to living a tragic life, as he described it.
He claimed that the only reason Palestinians want to return to Gaza is because there is no alternative.
Trump also revealed in his statements that his administration will make a decision soon on whether or not the United States will recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the West Bank.
The United Nations considers settlement in the occupied territories an illegal activity, has called in vain for decades to stop it, and warns that it undermines the chances of resolving the conflict according to the principle of two states (Palestinian and Israeli).
In another context, Trump noted that he will visit Israel, Gaza, Saudi Arabia and other places in the Middle East.
Regarding the details of his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump said, “We had beautiful talks”.
He added, “My meeting with Netanyahu focused on the future, how to eliminate Hamas, and restore peace”.
Trump stressed that US-Israeli relations would be stronger than ever under his administration.
In another context, Trump expressed his belief that many countries will join the “Abraham Accords” to normalize relations with Israel very soon.
In a short press conference before the talks with Netanyahu, Trump renewed his support for a plan to permanently displace Gaza Palestinians to other countries.
“I don’t think people should go back… You can’t live in Gaza right now… I think we need another location… I think it should be a location that makes people happy,” Trump said.
“When you look at the past decades, all you see in Gaza is death… This has been happening for years,” he added.
“What if we could find a nice area to resettle people permanently in good homes, where they can be happy, and not be shot or killed like they are in Gaza,” he continued, promoting his plan.
Trump pointed out that Egypt and Jordan informed Washington that they weren’t prepared to receive residents from Gaza, but he claimed that other countries had expressed their willingness to receive them.
In this context, he said, “Many leaders of countries have contacted us and expressed their desire to shelter residents from Gaza”.
Since January 25, Trump has been promoting a plan to transfer the Palestinians of Gaza to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan, which was rejected by both countries, and was joined by other Arab countries, regional and international organizations.
This is Netanyahu’s first foreign visit after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant on November 21, 2024, on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
