“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too,” said US President Donald Trump during a joint press conference on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the Israeli leader was visiting Washington, DC. The former real estate developer-turned President vowed to turn Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” laying out his plans for the region.
“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings,” Trump said.
When asked whether he would send US troops into Gaza, Trump responded, “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that. We’re going to take over that piece that we’re going to develop it.”
“This was not a decision made lightly,” Trump continued. “Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent.”
Trump laid out a future for the Gaza Strip that could exclude Palestinians entirely. “I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza,” he said. “I heard that Gaza has been very unlucky for them. They live like hell. They live like they’re living in hell. Gaza is not a place for people to be living, and the only reason they want to go back, and I believe this strongly, is because they have no alternative.”
Trump later on added that Palestinians would also live in Gaza. “Palestinians also. Palestinians will live there. Many people will live there,” he said.
As a self-proclaimed anti-war president, Trump’s comments about sending US troops into Gaza drew confusion, including from within his own Republican Party. “We’ll see what our Arab friends say about that. I think most South Carolinians would probably not be excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza,” said South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. “I think that might be problematic. But I’ll keep an open mind.”
