Trump's Gaza Plans Send Shockwaves Throughout Middle East

President Donald Trump yesterday doubled-down on earlier statements he made regarding his plans for the US to take control over Gaza and rebuild it.

President Trump stated the US could help Gaza become “the Riviera of the Middle East,” helping it recover after being demolished due to intense fighting between Israel and Hamas. 

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too," Trump said. "We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings —  level it out.”

Trump had previously floated this idea, explaining Gaza was in dire need of reconstruction and that adequate planning and leadership could help rebuild Gazan society and establish peace and prosperity for years to come. 

We will “create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area. Do a real job. Do something different," added Trump.

Trump further claimed that Palestinians should be helped to “resettle…permanently in nice homes and where they can be happy and not be shot, not be killed, not be knifed to death, like what's happening in Gaza."

US troops would also be potentially involved to guarantee the security and safety of the rebuilding process, as Trump stated the US military could help with the “very dangerous situation in terms of explosives all over the place, in terms of tunnels that nobody knows who's in the tunnel.”

Trump’s plans received bipartisan support from Israeli lawmakers. 

Conversely, Hamas’ political leadership reportedly alleged Trump’s plans “represent a call for ethnic cleansing, which is a war crime.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who would most likely lead negotiations to solidify Trump’s Gaza plans, claimed the initiative to rebuild Gaza is “one of lasting peace in the region for all people.”

Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas,” continued Rubio. “As Trump shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again.”