President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would assume control of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip once Palestinians have been relocated, proposing an economic development plan for the area. The statement, made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signals a dramatic shift in long-standing US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a Reuters report, Trump called Gaza a “demolition site” and reiterated his earlier suggestion that Palestinians should be permanently resettled in neighboring countries, despite repeated rejections from Arab leaders. He stated that the US would take responsibility for clearing unexploded bombs and rebuilding the territory.
“If necessary, we’re going to take over that piece, develop it, create thousands of jobs, and make it something the Middle East can be proud of,” Trump said. When asked who would inhabit Gaza under his plan, he responded vaguely, suggesting it could be a home for “the world’s people.”
Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal, calling it “outside-the-box thinking,” but details on how the US would legally or practically assume control of Gaza were not provided.
The announcement came as Trump hosted Netanyahu at the White House, where discussions also covered Iran, the Gaza ceasefire, and a potential Israeli-Saudi normalization agreement.
