President Donald Trump suggested that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip during an Oval Office meeting Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the war-ravaged territory a “big pile of rubble” that could be transformed into a global economic hub.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said at a joint press conference with Netanyahu. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out, create economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
Trump described his vision for Gaza’s future, suggesting it could become the “Riviera of the Middle East.” When asked who would live there, he replied, “Palestinians will live there. Many people will live there. I envision the world’s people living there.”
His remarks sparked swift backlash from Palestinian leaders. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the proposal, stating, “We consider it a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region. Our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass.”
Netanyahu did not directly endorse Trump’s proposal but acknowledged that they were discussing potential long-term solutions. “Trump sees a different future for that piece of land,” Netanyahu said. “We’re talking about it. I think it’s something that could change history and is worthwhile pursuing.”
The meeting marked Trump’s first with a foreign leader since the start of his second term. It came as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held, with ongoing negotiations for a second phase to secure the release of hostages and an end to the conflict.
Trump also reiterated his belief that Palestinians should seek alternatives outside Gaza. “I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza,” he said. “They’ve lived like hell. If they had an alternative, they’d much rather not go back.” He suggested that neighboring Egypt and Jordan could absorb displaced Palestinians, an idea both countries have previously rejected.
Netanyahu, who has vowed to prevent Gaza from ever threatening Israel again, said his primary goals remained “victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages, and dealing with the Iranian terror axis.”
Trump’s comments on Gaza reflect a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy and could reshape diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. However, the feasibility and international reaction to such a plan remain uncertain.
