(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested the U.S. “take over” Gaza and handle cleanup in the war-torn region.
The president welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, making him the first head of state to visit the White House in Trump’s second term.
The pair of world leaders addressed the press Tuesday following what Trump called “fantastic talks,” echoing an earlier suggestion that the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza should be permanently resettled.
Trump said he sees the U.S. engaging in “a long-term ownership” of Gaza, telling the press the idea has received “tremendous praise.”
The president did not clarify whether his resettlement idea means he does not support a two-state solution.
Trump suggests all Palestinians permanently resettle from Gaza
Trump said the Gaza Strip “should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have … lived a miserable existence there,” referring to Palestinians.
“Instead, we should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts” and “build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza,” the president said.
When asked how many Palestinians should be resettled in an earlier address Tuesday, Trump said, “All of them.”
Trump suggested building enclaves for Palestinians in neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan. Those countries rejected that plan, calling it “ethnic cleansing.” Trump is also calling on neighboring countries to pay for the resettlement.
The president did not suggest the same for residents of Israel.
When asked where Palestinians would go, Trump did not specify any countries.
Regarding Palestinians moving back to Gaza once it is rebuilt, Trump said he envisioned Gaza becoming an “international, unbelievable place” that includes Palestinians, though he did not provide a timeline for their return.
The president also said the U.S. would take over the Gaza Strip, taking responsibility for dismantling bombs and cleaning out debris in the region, which has been reduced to rubble since Oct. 7, 2023.
When asked if U.S. troops would go to Gaza to secure the area, Trump said, “We will do whatever is necessary.”
Trump said he views Gaza as a business opportunity to bring stability to the region and create jobs and housing for people in the area.
“We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal … the Riviera of the Middle East,” Trump said during the news conference with Netanyahu.
Trump also said he plans to visit Gaza soon.
‘Rooted in the common sense reality’
On Wednesday morning, national security adviser Mike Waltz told NewsNation that Trump has been thinking about the situation for “quite some time.”
“He’s been thinking about the lack of solutions that have been out there in the region,” Waltz said as he was walking into the White House.
“I think this is really rooted in the common sense reality of the plight of these people, and he’s looking for a humane future for them,” he added.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said at a Wednesday press briefing that Trump’s plan is a “bold and decisive move.”
Saudi Arabia slams Trump’s proposal
Trump said Saudi Arabia was not demanding a Palestinian state, which the kingdom swiftly refuted.
A statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has affirmed the kingdom’s position in “a clear and explicit manner” that does not allow for any interpretation under any circumstances.
Saudi Arabia also rejects any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land, the statement said, adding that its stance toward Palestinians is unnegotiable.
Hours after Trump announced plans to take over Gaza, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, calling for the rebuilding of Gaza without forcing out Palestinians.
Mustafa provided “an integrated vision” to remove the rubble and rebuild Gaza in cooperation with international groups, according to an Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement.
The statement did not address Trump’s remarks directly but said both sides called for the accelerated rebuilding and delivery of aid “without moving the Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.”
Trump: ‘Obliterate’ Iran if I’m assassinated
Trump signed an executive order Tuesday reinstating a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, including efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump said he was torn about signing it. “Hopefully, we’re not going to have to use it very much,” he said.
Trump later told reporters while in the Oval Office with Netanyahu that he believes Iran is “close” to developing a nuclear weapon but that the U.S. would stop a “strong” Tehran from obtaining one.
Iran’s foreign minister said U.S. concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons are not a complicated issue and can be resolved given Tehran’s opposition to weapons of mass destruction.
Trump also said he’s given his advisers instructions to “obliterate” Iran if he is assassinated.
Ceasefire in Gaza
Negotiations for the second phase of a permanent ceasefire were expected to start Monday, but Netanyahu delayed talks until he personally met with Trump.
President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas days before leaving office. Though the ceasefire was reached during the Biden administration, Trump has said he deserves credit for making the deal happen.
Netanyahu told reporters Tuesday he believes Trump provided “powerful leadership” but did not say who deserved credit for the deal.
Trump has not been confident about the long-term prospects for the truce.
“I have no guarantees that the peace is going to hold,” Trump told reporters on Monday.
The deal includes multiple phases. The first phase will include the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children and men over 50 years old.
Under the deal, a permanent ceasefire would come with both sides agreeing on who will be in power when the fighting ends.
Many families of the hostages who were taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 are concerned the ceasefire deal could fall apart over contention about Gaza’s new leadership.
Both Netanyahu and Trump say Hamas cannot remain in power.
Another tenant of the ceasefire deal is the total withdrawal of Israeli troops, which Netanyahu has been staunchly against.
That leaves much to be hammered out before the deal can reach phase two.
Netanyahu has held meetings with Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle Eastern envoy.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
