President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. would take over Gaza and remove debris, tunnels, and explosives left there by Hamas after the war with Israel, adding that he saw America taking a “long-term ownership position.”
Trump said: “The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll love it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous bombs and other weapons on the site… and get rid of the destroyed buildings [and] create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing.”
The surprise announcement came as the president spoke alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his Inauguration last month.
Trump had previously said that he would like to see most, or all, of the Palestinian population of Gaza moved to another Arab or Muslim country.
The idea of actually taking over Gaza, and establishing a U.S. presence, was both unexpected and completely new.
Trump added that the U.S. would develop Gaza economically, sending troops if necessary and making investments.
He called the potential of Gaza “unbelieveable,” but said that Palesitnian control of Gaza “will never work.” He added: “You have to learn from history … We have an opportunity to do something phenomenal … the Riviera of the Middle East.”
