Israel is preparing for a mass departure of Palestinian residents from Gaza after President Trump floated a proposal for the U.S. to take control of the strip currently under Hamas control.
The Israeli military has been directed to be ready for Palestinians’ exiting via land crossings and “special arrangements for exit by sea and air,” Israel Katz, the country’s defense minister, said according to The Associated Press.
Trump shared his idea on Tuesday during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The president said the U.S. should have the responsibility of clearing the territory of rubble and unexploded bombs and could help to rebuild the region.
“I think you’ll make that into an international, unbelievable place. … I don’t want to be cute, I don’t want to be a wise guy, but the Riviera of the Middle East. … This could be so magnificent,” he said.
Trump also said Palestinians could be permanently resettled from Gaza, and that they shouldn’t want to go back to the war-torn territory. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday suggested relocation of Palestinians could be temporary.
Early Thursday morning, Trump returned to the topic of Gaza in a Truth Social post, doubling down on his proposal for the U.S. to take over the area. He also reneged on the suggestion that the U.S. military would need to get involved if “necessary.”
“The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting. The Palestinians, people like Chuck Schumer, would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region,” the president wrote online.
“They would actually have a chance to be happy, safe, and free,” he continued. “The U.S., working with great development teams from all over the World, would slowly and carefully begin the construction of what would become one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth. No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed! Stability for the region would reign!!!”
The Hill has reached out to Netanyahu’s office and Schumer for comment.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
