Washington, D.C. – In a stunning statement at the start of his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a dramatic plan for the future of the Gaza Strip, suggesting the complete evacuation of all Gazans from the area "forever." During a 39-minute press conference that followed, Trump went even further, stating that the U.S. should take ownership of Gaza, rebuild it, and clear out "bombs and destroyed houses."
"We'll take control of Gaza, we'll flatten it. We'll clear out bombs and destroyed houses, that's a great idea," Trump said, adding that he would "do whatever it takes," including sending American troops to secure the region if necessary. The President further emphasized the need to permanently evacuate Gaza's residents, stating, "1.8 million Gazans need to leave. The rich countries of the region need to finance it."
Trump envisioned a future where Gaza could be transformed into a prosperous region. "I see people from all over the world living in Gaza in the future. We’re going to make it an amazing place with tremendous potential," he said, even comparing it to the Riviera of the Middle East.
Prime Minister Netanyahu supported Trump's bold proposal, calling it an "original idea." "You see things others refuse to see," Netanyahu said, praising Trump’s creative thinking. “This is the kind of thinking that allowed us to bring about the Abraham Accords and will reshape the Middle East.”
Hostage Deal and Iranian Threat Discussed
The two leaders also touched on the ongoing hostage negotiations. Trump reiterated his commitment to ensuring the release of all hostages, threatening that U.S. action would escalate if Hamas failed to comply. "If all the hostages are not released, we'll be more violent," he warned. Netanyahu, for his part, welcomed the U.S. support, particularly regarding the American citizens held captive.
The Iranian threat was another key issue during the talks, with Netanyahu and Trump aligning on the necessity of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. "Iran cannot have nuclear weapons," Netanyahu affirmed. Trump added, "I would love to make a great deal with Iran, but they cannot have nuclear weapons."
U.S.-Israel Relations at the Forefront
Trump, who described his relationship with Netanyahu as “wonderful,” reiterated that the U.S.-Israel alliance had been tested during his first term but remained unshakable. "We defeated ISIS, withdrew from the nuclear deal, imposed the harshest sanctions on Iran, and recognized the Golan Heights," Trump declared, noting the Abraham Accords as one of his proudest achievements in the Middle East.
On Saudi Arabia, both Trump and Netanyahu were optimistic about the possibility of normalizing relations. Netanyahu expressed confidence that an agreement was not just possible, but imminent. "I believe that peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only possible, but will happen," he said.
Controversial Remarks on Ceasefire and Hostage Release
When asked about the current ceasefire, Trump expressed uncertainty. "The Biden administration didn't help us, but we were able to get some hostages out," he said, referring to efforts to secure the release of captives from Gaza. He did, however, stress that the U.S. was committed to continuing the process.
The meeting also addressed the controversial issue of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). Trump acknowledged that while the U.S. had not yet taken a position on the matter, discussions would take place in the coming month.
Trump's Visit to Israel and the Middle East
Trump confirmed plans to visit Israel, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, and other regions shortly. "The Middle East is a wonderful place with wonderful people," he said, adding that "bad leadership" from both sides had contributed to the region's instability.
Netanyahu’s Support for U.S. Strategy
Following Trump's remarks, Netanyahu praised the U.S. president as “the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” The Israeli prime minister reiterated that Israel’s three primary goals in Gaza were to eliminate Hamas, end the threat to Israel, and bring home all hostages. He also expressed strong support for Trump’s outside-the-box thinking, which he believed could lead to a historical shift in the region.
"We will end the war by winning the war," Netanyahu declared, vowing that Israel’s victory would also be a victory for the U.S.
A Surprising Question on the Taliban
During the press conference, a reporter from Afghanistan asked Trump about his stance on recognizing the Taliban. In a somewhat flippant response, Trump said, "You have a beautiful voice and a beautiful accent, but I don't understand a word of what you're saying. Good luck, live in peace."
Conclusion
The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu proved to be a game-changing moment, with the U.S. president laying out a radical new vision for Gaza and the broader Middle East. While the proposed plan to evacuate Gaza’s residents and U.S. ownership of the territory is controversial, both leaders seemed aligned in their goals for Middle East peace, the Iranian threat, and the hostage crisis.
As the two leaders continue their discussions, all eyes will be on how this bold strategy unfolds and whether the U.S. can play a transformative role in the region's future.
Comments