It is a game-changing strategy.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump made controversial remarks suggesting that the U.S. should “take over” the Gaza Strip, with plans to rebuild the area into a thriving region, likening it to “the Riviera of the Middle East.” He proposed relocating Gaza’s population to other countries, such as Jordan or Egypt, as part of the reconstruction effort. Trump’s comments, made during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, challenged long-standing Middle East policy, with the president describing Gaza as an uninhabitable “demolition site” and calling it “hell” due to the ongoing destruction in the region.
Trump emphasized that the U.S. could transform Gaza by clearing out unexploded ordnance, rebuilding infrastructure, and creating new homes and jobs. He believed that the current conditions in Gaza, marked by years of conflict, were unsustainable, and that moving people to a more stable environment could offer a better future. He asserted that many Gaza residents would prefer relocation rather than staying in their current situation. However, his proposal faced opposition from multiple Arab nations and the Palestinian Authority, who expressed disapproval of the idea.
The president also made it clear that he did not support the reconstruction of Israeli settlements in Gaza, deeming the area too dangerous for such efforts. Despite the radical nature of his proposal, Trump maintained that the U.S. could bring lasting stability to the region by assuming control. He emphasized that his idea had been thoroughly considered, claiming that everyone he consulted was enthusiastic about the U.S. taking charge.
While Netanyahu did not explicitly endorse Trump’s plan, he acknowledged the U.S. president’s unconventional approach to the issue and noted that his own goal was to eliminate terrorists from Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister indicated that Trump’s proposal could potentially reshape the future of Gaza and bring about significant changes to the region’s long-standing conflicts.
Trump’s statements overshadowed the main focus of the meeting, which was meant to discuss the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza. However, the president suggested that a deal could be reached in the future, stressing the importance of collaboration between the U.S. and Israel.
