Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is committed to acquiring and controlling Gaza, though he suggested that parts of the devastated region could be rebuilt by other Middle Eastern nations.
“I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it, other people may do it, through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to New Orleans for the Super Bowl championship.
He emphasized the level of destruction in Gaza, stating, “There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished. Everything’s demolished.”
Trump also indicated he was open to considering requests from Palestinian refugees seeking entry into the United States but noted that such decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis.
Hamas and International Response
Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, condemned Trump’s remarks, stating, “Gaza is not a property to be sold and bought. It is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land,” and emphasized that Palestinians would resist displacement plans.
Trump has previously suggested the idea of permanently displacing Palestinians from Gaza and turning the area into what he described as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Last week, he proposed that the U.S. should take control of Gaza and initiate a large-scale reconstruction project. However, his comments have sparked criticism from multiple nations, particularly as the legal basis for such a move remains unclear.
Regional Diplomacy and Global Reactions
Israeli President Isaac Herzog revealed that Trump is expected to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and potentially Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, though no specific dates were provided. Herzog, speaking in an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, described the meetings as part of efforts to discuss Trump’s proposal for Gaza.
He also noted that Trump is scheduled to meet Jordan’s King Abdullah in the coming days, which Jordanian state media has confirmed. “President Trump is due to meet with major, major Arab leaders, first and foremost the King of Jordan and the President of Egypt, and I think also the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia as well,” Herzog said.
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“These are partners that must be listened to, they must be discussed with. We have to honor their feelings as well and see how we build a plan that is sustainable for the future,” he added.
Saudi Arabia has firmly rejected Trump’s Gaza proposal, as have other world leaders. Jordan’s King Abdullah is expected to warn Trump during their February 11 meeting in Washington that the plan could fuel radicalism and destabilize the region, potentially jeopardizing Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel, according to a Reuters report.
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The White House has not yet commented on Trump’s proposal, and officials in Cairo and Riyadh have not issued immediate responses.
