Washington D.C. — In a surprising announcement on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States intends to take ownership of the Gaza Strip and embark on a redevelopment project after relocating Palestinians to other regions.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference at the White House, President Trump outlined his vision without delving into specifics regarding the resettlement process.
\"The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,\" Trump stated. \"We're going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it'll be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of.\"
The President expressed a desire to transform the area, suggesting that it could become \"the Riviera of the Middle East\" and serve as \"a home to the world's people.\"
Trump also mentioned plans to visit Israel and potentially make a trip to Gaza in the near future.
This announcement comes on the heels of President Trump's earlier proposal on Tuesday for the permanent resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries. He referred to the enclave, which has witnessed significant destruction due to recent military actions, as a \"demolition site.\"
Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose military forces have been engaged in prolonged conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza, welcomed Trump's initiative.
\"President Trump is thinking outside the box with fresh ideas,\" Netanyahu commented. \"He is showing a willingness to puncture conventional thinking.\"
The proposed U.S. takeover and redevelopment of the Gaza Strip mark a bold shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Observers are keen to see how this plan unfolds and what implications it holds for the region's future.
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Trump proposes U.S. takeover of Gaza Strip during Netanyahu's visit
cgtn.com