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This is an archive article published on February 5, 2025
Hamas, Saudi Arabia, Australia react to Trump’s plan of US ‘taking over’ Gaza Strip
US President Trump earlier in a meeting with Israel PM Netanyahu suggested that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip and “own it”.
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo)
The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that his government supports a two-state solution in the Middle East, after US President Donald Trump announced his plans of taking over the Gaza Strip and owning it, in a bilateral meeting with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.
“Australia’s position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year. The Australian government supports on a bipartisan basis, a two-state solution,” said Australia’s PM Albanese in a press briefing at Parliament House on Wednesday.
US President Trump earlier in a meeting with Israel PM Netanyahu suggested that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip and “own it”. “We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” said Trump.
Israel PM Netanyahu responded to President Trump’s remarks by expressing his support about the US taking a “long-term ownership position” in Gaza, adding that it is something that could “change history.”
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo)
However, the Gaza based Hamas militant group has criticised Trump’s remarks and said that it is a “recipe for creating chaos” in the Middle East. “We consider it a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region. Our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass,” said the group in a statement, as quoted by AFP.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to pause the hostilities is currently underway which came into effect on January 19 and the first phase of the deal will continue until March 1. The violent warfare began when Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced its reaffirmation for an independent Palestinian state on Tuesday and added that establishing diplomatic ties with Israel would depend on the fulfilment of the formation of a Palestinian state.
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President Trump had proposed to move all the Palestinians out of Gaza and make it a US territory. Saudi support for a Palestinian state was “firm and unwavering,” stated Saudi Arabia’s Foreign ministry on Wednesday, New York Times reported.
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