US president claims development plan could turn enclave into ‘the Riviera of the Middle East’
Srinagar, Feb 5: US President Donald Trump has announced an extraordinary plan to “take over” and “own” Gaza after resettling Palestinians elsewhere, claiming it could transform the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
In a major shift from longstanding US policy, Trump said on Tuesday that his administration would lead redevelopment efforts to provide “unlimited jobs and housing” in Gaza.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” Trump declared at the White House after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He added that his administration would clear destroyed buildings and remove “dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons.”
Hamas, which governs Gaza, swiftly condemned the plan, calling it a “recipe for chaos and tension.”
“Our people in Gaza will not allow these plans to pass,” the group said, rejecting any forced displacement.
Trump’s proposal casts uncertainty over ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The current 42-day truce, set to expire on March 1, includes the release of 33 Israeli captives and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
On Tuesday, a Hamas spokesperson confirmed that talks for a second phase of the ceasefire had begun, potentially leading to a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of all captives. However, Trump expressed doubt about the deal’s stability and longevity.