New York/Washington, February 5 (PTI) – In a startling announcement, President Donald Trump revealed plans for the United States to “take over” the Gaza Strip, offering a bold vision of transforming the war-torn region into a hub of economic prosperity and development. Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump outlined his vision of U.S. ownership and reconstruction of Gaza, promising to create "unlimited numbers of jobs and housing" for the people living there.
Trump described Gaza as a "symbol of death and destruction," adding that the U.S. would take on full responsibility for dismantling unexploded bombs, clearing rubble, and rebuilding the area. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings,” Trump said. He emphasized that the initiative would be focused on creating a safe, livable environment, free from the devastation that has plagued the region for years.
The President expressed confidence that the U.S. could restore Gaza’s former potential, noting that the region’s current state is one of “dangerous” ruin. "The only reason the Palestinians want to go back to Gaza is they have no alternative. It's right now a demolition site. Virtually every building is down. They're living under fallen concrete, which is very dangerous and precarious," Trump remarked.
Trump also spoke about the economic opportunities his plan would generate, promising that the U.S. would create a thriving economy in Gaza, with housing and job opportunities for everyone. “We’ll create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area,” he said. “We'll do a real job, do something different.”
When asked if the U.S. might send troops to Gaza as part of the initiative, Trump did not rule out the possibility, asserting that the U.S. would “do what is necessary” to ensure the success of the plan. He also suggested that he would personally visit the region to oversee its transformation.
Trump’s comments painted a vivid picture of a future Gaza, describing it as a “beautiful area” that could offer “homes and safety” to its people. He suggested that this new vision for Gaza could bring peace and harmony to a region long marred by conflict. “Instead of having to go back and do it again, they can live out their lives in peace and harmony,” he said.
The President went on to express his belief that the U.S. could bring long-term stability to the Middle East by taking ownership of the Gaza Strip. He noted that this was a proposal that had received widespread support from global leaders. “I think this is an idea that’s gotten tremendous, and I’m talking about from the highest level of leadership, tremendous praise,” Trump stated. “If the United States can help bring stability and peace to the Middle East, we’ll do that.”
In response to questions about the permanence of a U.S. presence in Gaza, Trump acknowledged the long-term nature of the plan. He suggested that U.S. ownership of the Gaza Strip could bring “great stability” to the region and even the broader Middle East. “I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, standing beside Trump, praised the proposal, framing it as an opportunity to prevent Gaza from becoming a threat to Israel again. Netanyahu said that Israel's primary goal is to ensure Gaza never poses a security risk, but that Trump's vision for the region could lead to a much more stable future. “President Trump is taking it to a much higher level,” Netanyahu noted. “He has a different idea. And I think it’s worth paying attention to this.”
As for who would inhabit the rebuilt Gaza Strip, Trump suggested a cosmopolitan future. “I envision world people living there. The world’s people,” he said. “I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable. And I think the entire world, representatives from all over the world, will be there, and they’ll live there. Palestinians, also. Palestinians will live there.”
Trump also made comparisons to other global landmarks, calling Gaza a potential “Riviera of the Middle East” if the reconstruction project is successful. "We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal," he said, stressing the importance of learning from history to avoid letting the past continue to dictate the region's future.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a bold solution to a longstanding conflict, while others raise questions about the practical and political challenges of such a major intervention in a sovereign region.
The development in Gaza, if realized, would mark a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy and potentially reshape the landscape of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Trump described Gaza as a "symbol of death and destruction," adding that the U.S. would take on full responsibility for dismantling unexploded bombs, clearing rubble, and rebuilding the area. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings,” Trump said. He emphasized that the initiative would be focused on creating a safe, livable environment, free from the devastation that has plagued the region for years.
The President expressed confidence that the U.S. could restore Gaza’s former potential, noting that the region’s current state is one of “dangerous” ruin. "The only reason the Palestinians want to go back to Gaza is they have no alternative. It's right now a demolition site. Virtually every building is down. They're living under fallen concrete, which is very dangerous and precarious," Trump remarked.
Trump also spoke about the economic opportunities his plan would generate, promising that the U.S. would create a thriving economy in Gaza, with housing and job opportunities for everyone. “We’ll create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area,” he said. “We'll do a real job, do something different.”
When asked if the U.S. might send troops to Gaza as part of the initiative, Trump did not rule out the possibility, asserting that the U.S. would “do what is necessary” to ensure the success of the plan. He also suggested that he would personally visit the region to oversee its transformation.
Trump’s comments painted a vivid picture of a future Gaza, describing it as a “beautiful area” that could offer “homes and safety” to its people. He suggested that this new vision for Gaza could bring peace and harmony to a region long marred by conflict. “Instead of having to go back and do it again, they can live out their lives in peace and harmony,” he said.
The President went on to express his belief that the U.S. could bring long-term stability to the Middle East by taking ownership of the Gaza Strip. He noted that this was a proposal that had received widespread support from global leaders. “I think this is an idea that’s gotten tremendous, and I’m talking about from the highest level of leadership, tremendous praise,” Trump stated. “If the United States can help bring stability and peace to the Middle East, we’ll do that.”
In response to questions about the permanence of a U.S. presence in Gaza, Trump acknowledged the long-term nature of the plan. He suggested that U.S. ownership of the Gaza Strip could bring “great stability” to the region and even the broader Middle East. “I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, standing beside Trump, praised the proposal, framing it as an opportunity to prevent Gaza from becoming a threat to Israel again. Netanyahu said that Israel's primary goal is to ensure Gaza never poses a security risk, but that Trump's vision for the region could lead to a much more stable future. “President Trump is taking it to a much higher level,” Netanyahu noted. “He has a different idea. And I think it’s worth paying attention to this.”
As for who would inhabit the rebuilt Gaza Strip, Trump suggested a cosmopolitan future. “I envision world people living there. The world’s people,” he said. “I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable. And I think the entire world, representatives from all over the world, will be there, and they’ll live there. Palestinians, also. Palestinians will live there.”
Trump also made comparisons to other global landmarks, calling Gaza a potential “Riviera of the Middle East” if the reconstruction project is successful. "We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal," he said, stressing the importance of learning from history to avoid letting the past continue to dictate the region's future.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a bold solution to a longstanding conflict, while others raise questions about the practical and political challenges of such a major intervention in a sovereign region.
The development in Gaza, if realized, would mark a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy and potentially reshape the landscape of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
