Trump Floats Gaza Reconstruction Plan, Draws Fierce Criticism
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he was committed to the United States taking control of Gaza, suggesting that parts of the territory could be rebuilt by regional countries. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to New Orleans, President Trump stated, “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.”
His remarks follow earlier comments about permanently displacing Palestinians and transforming Gaza into what he called the “Riviera of the Middle East.” the president did not clarify under what authority the US would assume control of the Palestinian enclave, nor did he address the status of its population, which has endured more than a year of war with Israel following Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israeli border communities.
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Ezzat el-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, rejected President Trump’s statement, saying, “Gaza is not a property to be sold and bought. It is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land.”
The US president’s comments have faced strong opposition from international leaders, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed that President Trump is expected to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but did not specify when. Jordan’s King Abdullah, set to meet the American president on February 11 in Washington, is expected to warn that such a proposal would fuel radicalism and destabilize the region.
