10.02.2025 09:11
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated the plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, stating that the U.S. would take ownership of Gaza and build it through other wealthy countries in the Middle East. He said, "I am determined to buy and own it. Think of Gaza as a major real estate site." Meanwhile, the details of Trump's Gaza plan have also emerged.
The statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump on February 5 regarding the U.S. "taking over" governance in Gaza were met with astonishment around the world. Trump took these statements a step further.
"THINK OF IT LIKE A REAL ESTATE SITE"
In a statement to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said that allowing Gazans to return would be a mistake. Trump stated, "Think of it as a big real estate site, and the U.S. will own it and gradually, very slowly."
"NOBODY WILL BE THERE"
Trump indicated that Gaza is completely a place of destruction and will be rebuilt by wealthy countries, saying, "It will be reclaimed. It will be flattened, repaired. Nobody will be there. There will be no Hamas. We will build through other very wealthy countries in the Middle East. They will build beautiful places for people, for Palestinians, to live. They will probably live in harmony and peace for the first time in hundreds of years."
Trump, who stated, "I am determined to buy and own Gaza," claimed that there is nothing left for Gazans to return to and said, "It’s very unsafe, but we will make it a very good place that will be developed by someone in the future. We will allow some parts of other countries to develop it. It will be beautiful. People from all over the world can come and live there."
WILL PALESTINIANS BE ADMITTED TO THE U.S.?
In response to a question about whether he would accept forcibly displaced Palestinians into the U.S., Trump said, "I need to look at that, I think there is a long distance for them to come here, but I need to look at individual cases. The U.S. is already taking many people, it’s very far for them."
Trump argued that Gazans would be happier staying in a general area where they could be safe, saying, "So we will see. We hope that Egypt, Jordan, and other countries will help. We hope that some like Saudi Arabia and others will spend a little money on this. They have enormous amounts of money. They will spend a little money to make people comfortable and safe."
REACTIONS TO TRUMP
The statement received objections and reactions not only from Palestinians but also from U.S. allied countries.
Hamas described Trump's statements as "'pouring gasoline on the fire in the Middle East.'"
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his first statement on the matter, called for a "two-state solution," while Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, "We are against all initiatives that try to exclude the people of Gaza from the equation."
Palestine's UN Permanent Representative Riyad Mansour stated that "World leaders should respect the desire of Palestinians to remain in Gaza" in response to Trump's words.
Saudi Arabia stated, "Our position on Gaza is extremely clear and unequivocal; it is not open to interpretation under any circumstances. Relations with Israel will not be established until a Palestinian State is established."
Netanyahu, who visited the White House, praised Trump at the same press conference, saying, "You are Israel's greatest friend in the White House to date."
The latest statement from Israel regarding Trump's remarks targeted Ireland, Spain, and Norway.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz argued in a post from his 'X' account that these three countries have a legal responsibility to accept the people of Gaza.
The countries targeted by Katz, Ireland, Spain, and Norway, had recognized Palestine as a state through coordinated diplomacy on May 28, 2024.
Following this statement, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said, "The place of the Palestinian people is Palestine, and the place of the people of Gaza is Gaza."
The Irish government also stated, "Efforts should be increased to ensure the return of those displaced in Gaza."