President Donald Trump proposed that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip and completely rebuild the area during a White House press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
"The US will vl the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too," Trump said during the joint press conference with Netanyahu. The president outlined his vision for American oversight of the territory, which would include clearing unexploded ordnance and rebuilding the region's infrastructure.
Trump explained his plan would involve leveling damaged structures and fostering economic development to create jobs and housing. "Do a real job. Do something different. Just can't go back. If you go back, it's going to end up the same way it has for 100 years," Trump said.
"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," Trump elaborated. The meeting marked Netanyahu's position as the first world leader to visit the White House under Trump's second administration. When asked about the proposed American control of Gaza, Trump expressed his view that US oversight could bring regional stability.
Video: Trump-Netanyahu meeting at the White House on Feb. 4, 2025 / Credit: Ariel Kahana
"I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East," Trump said. He added that his consultations on the matter had received positive feedback, noting the potential for transforming an area currently marked by destruction.
Netanyahu, addressing reporters' questions about Gaza, reaffirmed his three primary objectives, emphasizing the need to prevent future threats to Israel. "President Trump is taking it to a much higher level," Netanyahu said. "He sees a different future for that piece of land that has been the focus of so much terrorism."
The leaders' discussions encompassed the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Iran's regional influence, and plans for relocating Gaza residents to other countries. Trump characterized Gaza's current state as "a symbol of death and destruction for so many decades," suggesting that its future should take a different direction from its past.
Video: Trump-Netanyahu meeting at the White House on Feb. 4, 2025 / Credit: YouTube/WhiteHouse
Netanyahu praised Trump's innovative thinking and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. "Your willingness to puncture conventional thinking, thinking that has failed time and time and time again, your willingness to think outside the box with fresh ideas, will help us achieve all these goals," Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader concluded by emphasizing the shared nature of their nations' success, stating: "Israel's victory will be America's victory. We will not only win the war working together, we will win the peace."
