US President Donald Trump remains relentless in his plan to take control of Gaza. Adding to the anguish of Palestinians, he announced on Monday that they would have no right to return to the territory.
When Asked by Fox News‘ Bret Baier if the Palestinians would have the right to return, the US president said, “No, they wouldn’t, because they’re going to have much better housing. In other words, I’m talking about building a permanent place for them.”
A day before, he reiterated his commitment to capture Gaza describing the war-torn enclave as a “big real estate site.”
He had first announced his plans to take over Gaza on Wednesday during a press conference with Israel‘s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” he had said.
Trump did not rule out sending US troops to secure Gaza. “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that,” he said.
He also suggested that Palestinians should move to other Middle Eastern countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, a proposal rejected by these nations.
Following this, Netanyahu had praised Trump, calling him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had.”
The Palestinian leadership including President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas both have said they won’t let this happen and that Gaza was a part of Palestine.
Since taking office for a second term, the President has continuously expressed his intentions to take control of foreign territories including Gaza and Greenland.