The U.S. will “take over the Gaza Strip,” President Donald Trump said Tuesday night while speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
“We’ll own it,” Trump said of the Gaza Strip, adding that the U.S. will “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 an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
“As far as Gaza is concerned, we will do what is necessary,” Trump told reporters after being questioned on his statement on the Gaza Strip.
“If it’s necessary, we will do that, we will take over that piece and develop it and create thousands and thousands of jobs—something the entire Middle East can be very proud of,” Trump continued.
The president said his aim is to prevent Gaza from ending up being the “same place” as it has been, presumably referring to Hamas and other terrorists controlling the region.
“So, by the United States with its stability and strength, owning it, especially the strength that we are developing and developed over the last fairly short period of time, I would say really since the election, I think we will be a great keeper of something that is very, very strong, very powerful, and very, very good for the area. Not just for Israel, for the entire Middle East, very important,” he said.
Netanyahu kept a supportive tone as he stood beside Trump, telling reporters that “Trump sees a different future for that piece of land that has been the focus of so much terrorism,” referring to the Gaza Strip.
“He has a different idea, “Netanyahu said of Trump, “and I think it’s worth paying attention to this.”
Trump made the comments on Gaza after meeting with Netanyahu in what was Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since being sworn into office as the 47th president.