Trump announces he wants US to ‘own’ Gaza: As it happened

The US president plans to demolish the enclave and resettle Palestinians elsewhere

US President Donald Trump has proposed that the United States assume control of the Gaza Strip, describing the area as a “demolition site” that requires redevelopment.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump outlined a plan for the US to clear unexploded ordnance, rebuild infrastructure, and create jobs and housing.

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump told reporters.

Trump did not rule out deploying US troops to Gaza, stating, “If it’s necessary, we’ll do that.” “I do see a long-term ownership position and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East,” he said.

He described his vision as transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

A key aspect of the proposal involves relocating Gaza’s approximately two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. Trump claimed that regional leaders supported the idea, though he did not provide details on how the relocation would be implemented.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal, calling it “thinking outside the box with fresh ideas” and expressing optimism about its potential to change history.

The announcement has drawn widespread criticism. Human rights organizations condemned the proposal as a form of ethnic cleansing, emphasizing that forced displacement violates international law.

Hamas officials also denounced the plan, stating that Palestinians would resist such efforts.

Additionally, both Egypt and Jordan have previously rejected similar resettlement proposals, citing concerns over regional stability and Palestinian rights.

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