US proposes taking over Gaza, turning it into a center of 'prosperity'

(CLO) President Donald Trump suddenly announced that the US will take over the Gaza Strip, and proposed to relocate Palestinians from this territory.

At a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 4, President Trump announced that the US would take on the task of rebuilding the Gaza Strip after its residents were resettled elsewhere. He stressed that the US would develop the region's economy , turning it into a prosperous center of the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump. Photo: WH

Mr. Trump's statement caused a stir because it went against decades of US foreign policy regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mr. Trump described Gaza as a "ravaged battlefield" and affirmed that the US would be responsible for clearing mines and explosives there.

“If necessary, we will take over this area, develop it and create thousands of jobs. Gaza will become the pride of the entire Middle East,” Mr. Trump said.

Asked who would live in Gaza after the US takeover, he suggested that the area could accommodate “people from all over the world ” and even compared it to the “Riviera of the Middle East” – a luxury resort.

Mr Trump did not clarify what legal basis the US would rely on to take over Gaza or how it would be implemented. However, he affirmed that he had discussed with regional leaders and received support.

"I have been studying this issue closely for many months. I see that the US can own Gaza in the long term, which will bring great stability to the region," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not comment in depth on Mr Trump's plans but praised the US President for his "outside-the-box thinking" and "willingness to challenge the diplomatic norm".

Trump has repeatedly called on Jordan, Egypt and other Arab states to accept Palestinians from Gaza. This time, he has announced his support for “permanent” Palestinian resettlement, a tougher stance than previous proposals. Both Egypt and Jordan have rejected the resettlement plan.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned Trump's announcement as "a plan to expel Palestinians from their land" and "the people of Gaza will never accept this plan".

Saudi Arabia has issued a statement rejecting any intention to expel Palestinians from Gaza, and affirming that it will not establish relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

Cao Phong (according to AJ, Reuters, CNN, BBC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-my-de-xuat-tiep-quan-dai-gaza-bien-thanh-trung-tam-thinh-vuong-cua-trung-dong-post333046.html