Anamika Dey, editor
Synopsis
- President Trump proposed that the U.S. take control of the Gaza Strip, suggesting relocation of its Palestinian residents to neighboring countries while developing the region.
- His comments were met with strong opposition from Arab nations and organizations, emphasizing that Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people.
- Trump envisions Gaza as a potential prosperous area, but legal and logistical challenges remain unresolved.
Detailed
On Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump stated that the United States “will take over the Gaza Strip” and “we’ll own it.”
Trump stated that the approximately 2 million Palestinians who currently reside in Gaza should depart and be relocated to other Middle Eastern nations, such as Jordan and Egypt, while the United States works on developing the region.
A few days ago, ministers from those Arab countries and other Arab countries completely dismissed the notion of allowing people of Gaza to enter their country.
The conflict between Gaza and its neighbor Israel began with an attack by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023. Since then, Gaza has been devastated.
During a joint news conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, Trump stated, “Gaza is a hellhole.” The event took place at the White House.
The former New York real estate mogul later proposed that Gaza may one day become “the Riviera of the Middle East,” where “the world’s people” could live.
When asked if he thought the United States will occupy Gaza indefinitely, Trump replied, “I do see a long-term ownership position.”
Trump stated that his approach might potentially bring “great peace” to the larger region and that “this could be so magnificent.”
When asked about the United States taking control of Gaza, Netanyahu responded, “I think it’s something that could change history.”
Netanyahu went on to say, “I believe that this is a path that is definitely worth exploring.”
Neither he nor Trump explained how the United States would have the legal ability to assume control of Gaza and manage it while it was being redeveloped.
It was a novel idea for Trump to argue that the United States should take control of Gaza.
However, it follows shortly after his proposals that the United States purchase or seize Greenland from Denmark, that Canada become the 51st state of the United States, and that the United States regain control of the Panama Canal.
On Monday, Trump stated, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too.”
Trump stated, “We will take responsibility for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, leveling the site, and getting rid of the destroyed buildings. We will also create an economic development that will provide unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
“Get a real job and do something different.”
The White House has been asked by CNBC to provide a statement regarding Trump’s plan.
According to a source at the White House who is acquainted with Trump’s comments, they were not said spontaneously. Instead, they had been discussed before to the news conference that Trump held with the Israeli prime minister. This information was reported by NBC News.
Trump’s comments were denounced by the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
According to Nihad Awad, the National Executive Director of CAIR, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States, and President Trump’s call to displace Palestinians from their land either temporarily or permanently is an absolute non-starter.”
Awad stated, “Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the entire Muslim world have made it clear that this delusional idea is unacceptable.”
Awad stated, “If the Palestinian people were to be forcibly removed from Gaza, it would be a crime against humanity that would complete the Israeli genocide of the Palestinians on their own land, ignite widespread conflict, destroy international law, and leave a permanent scar on our nation’s international image.”
Last year, Jared Kushner, who is Trump’s son-in-law and a former White House advisor, stated that there is “valuable potential” for Gaza’s “waterfront property.”
Kushner, whose family gained their riches in real estate in the New York area, also stated that Israel should relocate the civilians of Gaza to the Negev desert, which is located in southern Israel.
As American, Israeli, and Arab negotiators continue discussions regarding a second phase of a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, which has so far showed promise of ending the catastrophic 15-month war, Netanyahu’s visit to the White House comes at a time when these negotiations are taking place.
Since the ceasefire began in January, Hamas has regained governmental control of Gaza, and numerous Israeli hostages have been released.
Palestinian people who were displaced from their homes throughout the past year of conflict have also started to come back.
However, the question of what will happen next in Gaza, both politically and logistically, is complicated.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump stated that he did not believe the people who lived in the occupied region, which had a population of approximately 2.2 million before the war started, should go back to their homes.
“This is a circumstance that is extremely challenging. Earlier, at the White House, Trump stated, “I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza.” “They’re living in terrible conditions. They have no other options.
Trump stated that he was making efforts to get neighboring countries to take in hundreds of thousands of refugees from the area.
On Tuesday evening, Trump stated, “The king in Jordan and the general in Egypt will open their hearts and give us the kind of land we need.”
“We’re going to provide people with the opportunity to live in a beautiful community that is safe and secure.” Trump stated, “And I think you’re going to see tremendous, a tremendous outflowing of support.”
“I can tell you that I have spoken with other leaders of countries in the Middle East, and they are very enthusiastic about the idea.” They claim that it would truly create equilibrium, and what we require is stability.
Source : CNBC news
