Trump: US will take over Gaza and level it

President Donald Trump says the United States will take over the Gaza Strip to “dismantle and develop it”.

Trump spoke at the Oval Office, during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited Washington on Tuesday.

Gaza has been reduced to rubble following the escalation of hostilities between Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, and Israel since October 7, 2023.

“Gaza is a hellhole,” Trump said.

The president said he envisioned the US having a “long-term ownership position” over the strip, adding that it had the potential to be “the Riviera of the Middle East”.

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too,” he added.

Trump said everyone he has spoken to “loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land”.

“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,” the former real estate developer added.

“Create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.

“Do a real job. Do something different.”

Asked who would live on the strip, he replied: “The world’s people”.

Trump also floated the idea of sending US troops to the region.

Netanyahu applauded Trump for his “history-changing” idea.

“And I think it’s really worth pursuing this avenue,” Netanyahu said.

Both leaders did not address whether it is legally permissible for the US to take over the territory.

Hours before signing an executive order to withdraw the US from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Trump said Palestinians have no alternative but to leave Gaza.