Washington, D.C., February 5, 2025 — In a controversial statement during a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the United States should take control of Gaza, describing the territory as "hell" and "one of the meanest, toughest places on earth."
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump outlined his vision for Gaza, claiming that the U.S. could transform the war-torn region into "something the entire Middle East can be very proud of." He referred to Gaza as a "demolition site" and proposed relocating its two million Palestinian residents to "various domains," including Egypt and Jordan—a plan that has been strongly rejected by both nations, as well as other Arab countries and Palestinian leaders.
When questioned about the potential deployment of U.S. troops to fill a security vacuum in Gaza, Trump responded, "We'll do what is necessary." He further claimed that the U.S. would develop Gaza, create "thousands and thousands of jobs," and even likened the envisioned transformation to the "Riviera of the Middle East."
International Backlash and Rejections
Saudi Arabia swiftly condemned the idea, reaffirming its stance against the displacement of Palestinians and reiterating that it would not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. Despite Trump's assertion that Egypt and Jordan would accept Palestinian refugees, both countries have firmly opposed such proposals.
Addressing concerns about the legal and ethical grounds for U.S. control over Gaza, Trump claimed a "long-term ownership position" would bring stability to the region. "Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land," he said, adding that his administration had studied the situation extensively.
Trump dismissed the possibility of Palestinians returning to Gaza, suggesting it would only lead to "death and destruction." He proposed permanent resettlement in "beautiful areas" where displaced individuals could live safely.
Impact on Regional Diplomacy
Trump's remarks come amid fragile ceasefire conditions following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties and 250 hostages. Since the conflict began, over 47,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza.
While Netanyahu did not overtly endorse Trump's proposal, his presence and silence on the matter have raised questions. Analysts suggest that Trump's plan could further destabilize efforts toward a two-state solution and jeopardize diplomatic normalization between Israel and Gulf Arab nations.
Despite hinting at support for an independent Palestinian state as part of a broader peace process, Trump admitted, "A lot of plans change with time," reflecting shifting U.S. policy priorities since his previous term.
When asked about the potential for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Trump remained non-committal, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. "We are dealing with a very complex group of people and situation," he said, praising Netanyahu as "the right leader of Israel."
Closing the conference, Trump remarked on his aspirations for global recognition, stating, "They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize. It's too bad. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me."
Stay with GLiDE NEWS for continued coverage of developments in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy.
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