A couple hours after Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would “take over” the Gaza Strip and “own it,” those at the White House press conference were still stunned at the plan.
“One of the most brazen suggestions ever made by a U.S. president in recent years,” Kaitlan Collins, CNN‘s chief White House correspondent, said as she opened her 9 p.m. ET show.
Appearing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it and 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.”
Earlier in the day, Trump also had been suggesting that the Palestinians in Gaza be removed.
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As much as Trump’s plan may sound like the urban revitalization and slum clearance of the 1960s, it also sounds like another effort in nation building, something that he had previously criticized. Moreover, Hamas still controls Gaza, and still holds hostages amid a ceasefire with Israel.
At the press conference, NBC News’ Kelly O’Donnell said to Trump, “You are talking tonight about the United States taking over a sovereign territory. What authority would allow you to do that. Are you talking about a permanent occupation there, redevelopment?”
“I do see a long-term ownership position and I see bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe to the entire Middle East. … Everybody I have spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.”
Asked about the use of U.S. troops, Trump said that “we will do what is necessary.”
Collins asked Trump where Gazans should go, whether they should return after it is rebuilt and, if not, who he envisioned living there.
“I envision world people living there. The world’s people. I think you’ll make that into an international, unbelievable place. I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable.” He said that Palestinians also would live there, while also suggesting that Jordan and Egypt would take them for resettlement.
“They’ve tried the other, and they’ve tried it for decades and decades and decades. It’s not going to work. It didn’t work. I will never work. And you have to learn from history,” Trump said.
On her show, Collins said that “to say that the president’s comments are explosive would be an understatement,” while noting that Egypt and Jordan have already said they would not take in expelled Palestinians.