Trump proposes the US taking ownership of Gaza Strip
US President Donald Trump proposed taking ownership of the Gaza Strip and redeveloping it, after saying earlier that Palestinians should move out of the region.
"The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too," Trump said on Tuesday during a joint conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump made the comments after meeting with the Israeli leader at the White House. Netanyahu responded, saying the idea is "worth paying attention to."
The US president has previously said that neighbouring nations could take in displaced Palestinians from Gaza - a proposal that was rejected by Arab nations.
Asked about the idea, Trump said that he envisions "a long-term ownership position."
"We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site," Trump said.
He added that "everyone loves the idea" and that the US would "create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area."
"This could be the Riviera of the Middle East," Trump said.
Trump was asked by a reporter if Palestinians who leave Gaza will be allowed to resettle there in the future. "Who do you envision living there?" he was asked.
The US president responded: "People living there. The world's people," adding it would include Palestinians.
The comments attracted criticism from some lawmakers, who rejected the notion of Gaza ownership.
"I have news for you - we aren't taking over Gaza," said Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy on X, adding that Trump has "totally lost it."
Saudi Arabia also said its commitment to establishing an independent, Palestinian state is "firm and unshakable," adding that "a permanent and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights."
Netanyahu appeared open to the idea, and told reporters that Israel is focused on making sure the territory is no longer a danger to their country.
He added that Trump "sees a different future for Gaza," and said: "I think it's something that could change history."
For the Israeli prime minister, the visit is a boost on the world stage after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on allegations of war crimes. Washington does not recognise the court - meaning it has no obligation to detain Netanyahu - and has strongly condemned the ICC move.
The Gaza Strip is a 41km (25-mile) long and 10km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to nearly 2 million people, most of whom are Palestinians living in refugee camps who have been displaced from elsewhere in the region.
Even before the latest war between Israel and Hamas - which began on 7 October 2023 after Hamas fighters stormed into Israeli territory, killing about 1,200 and taking 250 others hostage - Gaza had one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, with most of its population living below the poverty line and depending on food aid to survive.
The subsequent war has killed more than 46,600 people in Gaza, including a large number of women and children, according to figures by the Hamas-run health authority of Gaza.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the main United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, of which Israel has been highly critical.
The executive order also withdraws the US from the UN Human Rights Council.
In the days leading up to Trump taking office in January, a ceasefire deal was brokered between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of fighting. Some hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The deal is being carried out in phases, with negotiations ongoing. Israeli officials have said they likely will need to resume the war in Gaza, saying Hamas officials may not accept their demands.
Getty ImagesIsrael's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the BBC on Tuesday that Israel will have "no choice" but to resume the war, unless Hamas agrees to "deport" its own leaders out of Gaza.
"If Hamas will insist to stay in power, then we will have no choice... It's not going to be pleasant, not for us, not for the people of Gaza," he said.
Trump's comments on Tuesday follow ones he made last month, in which he suggested that Egypt and Jordan could take in Palestinians who are relocated from Gaza, calling the strip "a demolition site".
The idea was rejected by Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar - the latter of which has played a chief negotiating role between Israel and Hamas.
The Arab nations said such plans "threaten the region's stability, risk expanding the conflict, and undermine prospects for peace and coexistence among its peoples."