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US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington DC on Tuesday and suggested that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip and “own it”.
Netanyahu, who is the first foreign leader to meet Trump after he became the president for the second time, said that suggestion of a US takeover of the Gaza Strip is “worthwhile” to pursue, adding “I think it’s something that could change history.”
The bilateral meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is significant considering the ceasefire agreement in place to pause the hostilities between Israel and Gaza based Hamas militant group, and that the first phase of the ceasefire deal is due to expire on March 1.
President Donald Trump suggested during the bilateral meeting that the US will take over the Gaza Strip and own it and try to create an economic development to supply unlimited jobs and housing for the people.
“We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” said Trump, adding that the US will “level” destroyed buildings in the Palestinian territory.
During the meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu, Trump said that he envisions a “long-term” ownership of the Gaza Strip after the Palestinians are moved out to somewhere else, adding that “This is not a decision made lightly.”
Trump further suggested that Gaza could become “the Riviera of the Middle East” where everyone across the world could live, including Palestinians. Trump claimed “Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.”
Israel PM Netanyahu began his remarks in the meeting by stating that US President Trump is “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” He thanked the president for inviting him to Washington DC.
“In your first term, you recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. You move the American embassy there. You recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights,” Netanyahu said.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for President Trump’s remarks about the US taking a “long-term ownership position” in Gaza, adding that it is something that could change history.
Netanyahu said that “President Trump is taking it to a much higher level. He sees a different future for that piece of land that has been the focus of so much terrorism.”
President Donald Trump said that the US is poised to take a position on Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and he would announce the same next month. “We haven’t been taking the position on it yet,” he said.
Trump further revealed his plans of visiting Israel, Gaza Strip and Saudi Arabia. He said “The Middle East is an incredible place, so vibrant, it’s just one of the really beautiful places with great people.”
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