The USA will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too. We will own it, says Trump at a joint press conference in Washington with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump claims that the war-torn area, home to more than two million Palestinians, could become the "Riviera of the Middle East".
I see a long-term ownership position, Trump responds to a question about how he views the USA's future role in the region.
"Will happen"
Muslim neighboring countries and major powers in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, have reacted strongly negatively when Trump previously sent similar signals. The two latter countries also border Israel/Palestine and are expected to be primarily affected if the inhabitants are driven out of Gaza.
They will not say no to me, Trump assures in response to a question from The Jerusalem Post.
I want to move all Gazans. It will happen.
Since the 2006 election, the isolated area has been ruled by Hamas, which is terrorist-listed in the Western world and started the current war with its massive attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The extremist Islamic organization responds quickly but briefly:
Trump's comments about wanting to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd, says Hamas representative Sami Abu Zuhri to Reuters news agency in Cairo.
All such proposals risk setting the region on fire.
In a written communication, the group also describes Trump's policy as "the racist American line".
Does not rule out soldiers
Trump claims, on the contrary, that his plan for Gaza will promote stability.
Everyone I've talked to loves the idea of the USA owning the territory.
The US President does not rule out sending American soldiers to maintain security either.
If it's necessary, we'll do it, says Trump in response to a reporter's question.
"Change history"
Netanyahu says, in turn, that Trump's plan for Gaza can "change history" and further that Trump is the "greatest friend Israel has ever had".
Trump said earlier on Tuesday that Gazans should permanently leave the strip for countries like Egypt and Jordan.
It's not possible to live in Gaza now. We should find somewhere they can be happy. A beautiful place, where they're not killed or shot or stabbed, says he, as the Israeli Prime Minister nods in agreement.
In the shadow of this, according to Hamas, preliminary talks about phase two of the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza War began on Tuesday. Israel is not yet involved, but Netanyahu has said that the country is on board and will send a delegation to the negotiating table in Qatar later in the week.
