06.02.2025 18:31
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak described U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for the Gaza Strip as a 'fantasy' and stated that it is not taken seriously. Barak said that Trump's statements are merely a trial balloon.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak stated that U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for the Gaza Strip is not taken seriously by anyone, calling it a "figment of imagination."
Barak commented on Trump's statements about relocating Palestinians in Gaza and the U.S. taking over the region during an interview on Israel Army Radio.
THE BALLOON TEST METAPHOR DREW ATTENTION
Describing Trump's plan as a "figment of imagination," Barak said, "This does not seem like a plan that anyone is seriously considering. It looks more like a test balloon or perhaps an attempt to signal support for Israel."
Barak also suggested that Trump's statements might have been made to exert pressure on Arab countries to "offer a solution to the situation in Gaza and support the removal of Hamas from power."
TRUMP'S GAZA PLAN
Trump had stated during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House that the U.S. would take over the Gaza Strip.
Noting that Gaza is now a massive area of total destruction, Trump argued that it would be much better for Palestinians in Gaza to go to new settlements to be built in neighboring countries, primarily Egypt and Jordan. Trump claimed that Palestinians had no choice but to leave Gaza.