U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House, engaging in extensive discussions. Following this meeting, the two leaders held a joint press conference. During the conference, Trump declared, "We want America to take ownership of the Gaza Strip and focus on its development." He stated that the U.S. will take control of the Palestinian territory of Gaza and work on its development.
Trump emphasized, "We will assert our rights over Gaza, take responsibility for destroying all dangerous bombs and weapons, demolish destroyed buildings, and foster economic development that will provide countless jobs and housing for the people in the region."
In his statement, Trump mentioned that Palestinians would need to vacate the Gaza Strip, suggesting they should permanently settle in Egypt, Jordan, and other countries. He described Gaza as unfit for living and suggested it brought bad luck to its residents, asserting they lived in conditions akin to hell. "Gaza's future does not include Palestinians," he added, "They should move to more suitable locations."
Trump's remarks, after meeting with Netanyahu, became a global topic of conversation. Previously, Trump had proposed resettling Gaza's population in other countries even before becoming President. However, his statement didn't sit well with the Palestinian authority and many Muslim nations.
Global Leaders Should Respect the Wishes of Gaza's People
At the UN, Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour argued that rather than resettling Palestinians in other countries, they should be reintegrated into their homes in Israel. Mansour stated, "Those wanting to relocate Gaza's people should send them back to their real homes in Israel, where there are many good places, and Gaza's residents would be quite happy to return."
Mansour further expressed that Palestinians aspire to reestablish Gaza and global leaders should honor their wishes.
Joint Statement by Palestine and Egypt: Rebuilding the Area Without Relocating Its People
Following Trump's statement on Gaza, Palestine and Egypt issued a joint statement on Wednesday, calling for the reconstruction of the region without relocating its population. This statement was made after a meeting between Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and the Egyptian Foreign Minister.
While the statement did not target Trump directly, it emphasized that, with international community collaboration, the reconstruction of Gaza could proceed without removing its people.
Meanwhile, Gaza-based militant group Hamas expressed displeasure over Trump’s remarks. Senior leader Sami Abu Zuhri criticized Trump’s comment on occupying Gaza as extremely vile.
The Hamas leader cautioned that such ideas could incite violence in the region, stating, "We believe this plan will increase tensions in the area since the people of Gaza will never accept it."
Saudi Arabia Issues a Major Statement Without Naming Trump
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also released a statement regarding the occupation, though it didn't mention Trump directly.
The Saudi ministry stated that they have always opposed the violation of Palestinian rights, their relocation elsewhere, or any country's occupation of Palestinian land.
They emphasized that it is the duty of the international community today to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering of all Palestinian people who are committed to their role and will remain in Gaza.
Last Saturday, a coalition of Arab nations dismissed Trump's ambition to relocate Gaza's residents to Egypt and Jordan. Several Arab countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, stated in a joint declaration that such plans could increase disputes in the Middle East region.
The joint declaration affirmed that any plans to separate Palestinians from their land would pose a threat to regional stability and the peace of its people.
Turkey Warns: Escalating Tension in the Region Could Be Inevitable
Turkey voiced strong objections to Trump's Gaza takeover statement. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called Trump’s remarks unacceptable and warned that if realized, such actions could worsen regional tensions.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also mentioned that reconsideration of decisions against Israel, including halting business relations and withdrawing diplomats, would be considered if circumstances changed and violence against Palestinians ceased.
There Is No Chance of Trump's Plan Succeeding
Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the American-Islamic Relations Council, dismissed Trump's proposal. Awad stated that efforts to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza could exacerbate conflicts. He reiterated that Gaza belongs to the Palestinians, not America.
Awad further remarked that Trump’s plan to have Palestinians leave Gaza for other places stands no chance of success. He asserted that Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the entire Muslim community have already rejected such ideas.
Similarly, Yemen's Houthi rebels criticized American President Trump's statements concerning the Gaza Strip. Houthi leader Muhammad al-Bukhaiti claimed Trump's comments reflected America's arrogance and assured that Yemen would firmly support Egypt or Jordan if they decided to challenge the U.S.
