Donald Trump Proposes U.S. Takeover Of The Gaza Strip

WASHINGTON - On Tuesday President Donald Trump met with Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House where Trump proposed an idea regarding Gaza.

Donald Trump announced to the press the idea that the US would take over the Gaza Strip. The plan would involve destroying the remaining structures within Gaza.

Trump stated that he believed Gaza could become the “Riviera of the Middle East” if it was under U.S. citizenship.

His proposal included the idea of transforming Gaza into a resort meant to draw people from around the globe.

Trump also proposed that the entire population of Gaza be relocated to other countries so the whole land could be rebuilt.

The White House press secretary Karoline Levitt then announced that the U.S. would not pay for the reconstruction of Gaza, instead, they would work with allies in the region in rebuilding it. She also stated that President Trump has not committed to sending the U.S. military into Gaza.

These ideas from Trump were met with resistance from Palestinian and Arab leaders who had hoped Gaza would become a basis for a future Palestinian state.

The idea was also rejected by Hamas who are preparing their negotiations for the next stage of their ceasefire deal with Israel. Hamas released a statement on Wednesday calling for Trump to recall his statement saying they would “pour oil on the fire.”

Other world leaders such as those of Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt publicly rejected the idea. The idea was also rejected by several members of the U.S. Congress.

Since the announcement earlier this week, Trump has asserted the idea that Gaza will be given to the United States by Israel.

Trump has since expanded the plan which could now involve the permanent relocation of the 1.8 million people living within Gaza. However, under international law, it is strictly prohibited to transfer populations from occupied territories.

In regards to Gaza, Donald Trump stated that his plan “would lead to great stability in the area” for “very little money.”

Nikolai Wagner is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To email him, contact njw5648@psu.edu.