President Donald Trump reaffirmed his vision for the redevelopment of Gaza on Sunday, characterizing the war-torn region as a significant real estate opportunity.
“I believe it would be a grave error to allow the Palestinians or those residing in Gaza to return at this time, especially with Hamas still present. We should view it as a major real estate project, and the United States intends to take ownership and develop it gradually—there’s no urgency. Our goal is to bring stability to the Middle East in the near future,” Trump stated to reporters on Air Force One while en route to the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
The United Nations reports that Israel’s conflict with Hamas has resulted in the displacement of 90% of Gaza’s population, with many individuals forced to relocate multiple times.
As a former real estate developer, Trump referred to Gaza as a “demolition site” that would need to be “cleared and renovated.”
He also proposed that other nations in the Middle East could provide housing for displaced Palestinians in “beautiful locations.”
Trump initially introduced this idea during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting, “The US will take control of the Gaza Strip, and we will manage it effectively,” later envisioning the area as a new “Riviera.”
Netanyahu has characterized Trump’s proposal as a “revolutionary, creative vision.”
During a cabinet meeting on Sunday following his return from the United States, Netanyahu remarked that the visit and his discussions with the US president “bring with them significant achievements that can secure Israel’s safety for generations to come.”
He informed his cabinet that Trump offered a “distinct vision for the ‘day after'” the conflict in Gaza.
“For an entire year, we have been told that the ‘day after’ necessitates the presence of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) in Gaza, the Palestinian Authority,” the Israeli leader stated.
“President Trump introduced a markedly different vision, one that is far more advantageous for the state of Israel. It is a revolutionary, creative vision – and we are currently deliberating on it. He is highly committed to its implementation, which also presents numerous opportunities for us.”
In contrast, a Hamas official dismissed Trump’s recent comments as “absurd.”
“Gaza is not a commodity that can be traded; it is an essential part of our occupied Palestinian territory,” asserted Izzat Al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau. “Approaching the Palestinian issue with a real estate dealer’s mindset is a formula for failure.”
Regional leaders have also expressed their disapproval of Trump’s proposals, which diverge from long-standing US foreign policy. These plans are anticipated to be a central topic of discussion when the president meets with the king of Jordan at the White House this week.
Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, indicated on Sunday that Trump was making an initial move to encourage other regional stakeholders to engage in discussions aimed at finding a resolution.
“Present your own proposal if you disagree with his,” Waltz stated during his appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” noting that the White House has experienced “various forms of outreach” following Trump’s remarks earlier in the week.
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