U.S. President Donald Trump said that Gaza would be “turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting,” as he elaborated on his plans for the enclave on Thursday.
“The U.S., working with great development teams from all over the World, would slowly and carefully begin the construction of what would become one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth. No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed! Stability for the region would reign!!!” he wrote.
His comments came after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled his proposal historic “outside of the box” thinking, on Wednesday, when she also stressed that the president had not pledged to send U.S. troops to the enclave, however, she also did not rule out the possibility.
At the same time, Leavitt clarified Trump’s earlier assertion that Gazans needed to be permanently resettled in neighboring countries, saying instead that they only expected allies in the region such as Egypt and Jordan to accept the 2.1 million Gazans “temporarily so that we can rebuild their home.”
“I can confirm that the president is committed to rebuilding Gaza and to temporarily relocating those who are there, because ... it is a demolition site. There is no running water. There is no electricity. The president wants these individuals to live in peace. He is committed to doing that with this very bold new plan, and we will continue to keep you apprised of updates as we receive them,” she said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said the idea was for Gazans to leave the territory for an “interim” period of reconstruction and debris-clearing, saying that the president’s proposal was “not meant as a hostile move” but rather as an “offer to rebuild.”
“What he’s very generously offering is the ability of the United States to go in and help with debris removal, help with munitions removal, help with reconstruction, the rebuilding of homes and businesses and things of this nature, so that people can move back in,” he said.
On Tuesday, during a conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the Gaza Strip had been a “disaster for decades” and suggested the United States could develop and own the property “long-term” to help ensure stability.
The president said the area holds exceptional potential and could be rebuilt as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Netanyahu has described the proposal as “remarkable” and urged that it be explored.
Wednesday’s White House statement was followed by Israel’s defense minister ordering the army on Thursday to prepare a plan to allow the “voluntary departure” of residents from Gaza.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz praised Trump’s announcement that the Americans would aim to take control of Gaza and transform the territory.
He said his plan would include exit options via land crossings, as well as special arrangements for sea and air departures.
Katz added that countries who have opposed Israel’s military operations in Gaza should take in the Palestinians.
“Countries like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have leveled accusations and false claims against Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories,” he said.
“Their hypocrisy will be exposed if they refuse to do so. There are countries like Canada, which has a structured immigration program, that have previously expressed a willingness to accept Gaza residents.”
Hamas official Basem Naim said that Palestinians are too attached to their land to ever leave and accused Katz of trying to cover up that Israel had “failed to achieve any of its objectives in the war on Gaza.”
Iran, too, categorically rejected the proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Thursday.
“The plan to clear Gaza and relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries is considered a continuation of the Zionist regime’s (Israel) plan to completely wipe out the Palestinian people,” Baghaei wrote on X.
