By Charles Switzer
9:43am PST, Feb 5, 2025
Trump Proposes U.S. Takeover of Gaza
President
Donald Trump announced Tuesday, February 4, that the United States could "take over" the war-torn Gaza Strip and even send troops to secure the area, according to
The Daily Beast.During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump outlined his vision to "level the site" and create a development project that would provide "unlimited jobs and housing" for the displaced population. He assured that the plan had been under consideration for months and had received "tremendous praise" from regional leaders.
However, Trump did not clarify where Palestinians would be housed in the interim.
Here's everything the president said about Gaza, which, in the words of one analyst, "exposes his 'no more wars' lie."
MORE:
Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
Netanyahu Supports Trump's Vision
Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Trump's idea, calling him "the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House."
Netanyahu expressed optimism that the plan could "change history" and was worth exploring, even though others consider the president's foreign policy ideas
"insane." While the Israeli leader signaled openness to Trump's proposal, regional reactions were mixed, with leaders in Jordan and Egypt reportedly hesitant. Trump, however, suggested that they would eventually support the plan, saying, "I have a feeling that despite them saying no, the king in Jordan and the general in Egypt will open their hearts."
International and Regional Concerns
Trump's announcement drew swift criticism from various international actors. Saudi Arabia reiterated that it would not establish formal ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state was created, contradicting Trump's claim that the kingdom would be "very helpful" in achieving a broader normalization deal.
The United Nations reported that nearly 90 percent of Gaza's two million inhabitants have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about the feasibility and ethics of Trump's proposed resettlement plan.
Political Divide in the U.S.
Lawmakers in both parties reacted with strong and divided opinions on Trump's plan.
Sen.
Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) condemned it as "ethnic cleansing by another name," warning that the proposal could further destabilize the region.
Sen.
Chris Murphy (D-CT) expressed concern about American casualties, stating, "A U.S. invasion of Gaza would lead to the slaughter of thousands of U.S. troops and decades of war in the Middle East."
However, Sen.
John Fetterman (D-PA) was one of the few
Democrats open to the idea, calling it "provocative" without rejecting it outright.
Republican Skepticism and Support
While some Republicans backed Trump's plan, others voiced skepticism about its financial and strategic feasibility.
Sen.
Josh Hawley (R-MO) questioned the allocation of U.S. resources, stating, "It's not the best use of United States resources to spend a bunch of money in Gaza."
Meanwhile, Sen.
Thom Tillis (R-NC) indicated that the plan needed further examination, saying, "There's probably a couple of kinks in that slinky, but I'll have to look at [Trump's] statement."
The mixed Republican response highlights the broader uncertainty surrounding the proposal's viability.
