In a surprising statement, President Donald Trump declared that the US would “take over” the Gaza Strip, “own it,” and spearhead economic development in the region, promising to create “unlimited numbers of jobs and housing.”
Trump made these comments during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.
While standing beside Netanyahu, Trump suggested that the US would undertake the development of Gaza, but did not specify who would be allowed to live there.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump stated, adding “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.”
He emphasized the development potential, saying, “We’re going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it’ll be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of.”
Trump also expressed a vision for long-term ownership, believing it would bring great stability to the region.
When asked about the people who might live in Gaza under US control, Trump suggested it could become a place for “the world’s people.”
He also described Gaza as having the potential to become “The Riviera of the Middle East,” referring to its possible transformation after being devastated by Israel’s military response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, cross-border attack.
Trump did not address questions about the authority under which the US would occupy Gaza, a 25-mile-long coastal strip with a violent history.
US administrations, including Trump’s first term, had refrained from deploying American troops to the region.
Trump’s proposal drew swift criticism from several Democratic lawmakers.
Netanyahu, who has faced intense military conflicts with Hamas, did not engage deeply with the proposal but complimented Trump for his “fresh ideas” and willingness to challenge conventional thinking.
Netanyahu avoided public discussion of the ceasefire, as he faces pressure from far-right members of his coalition to restart the fighting against Hamas.
Some experts believe that Trump may be using extreme proposals to set the stage for future negotiations, as he did during his first term, issuing bold foreign policy statements that were often not fully implemented.
A UN report released in January revealed that clearing over 50 million tonnes of rubble in Gaza due to Israel’s bombardment could take up to 21 years and cost as much as $1.2 billion.
