President Trump wants the US to take over the Gaza Strip

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4 (local time), the US leader expressed his personal opinion that there is no long-term future for Palestinians in Gaza, and that this conflict-torn strip of land is no longer habitable, so the Palestinian people have no choice but to leave.

Mr Trump also said that the US taking over Gaza would promote stability in the region. The US leader said: "This is not a decision that was made lightly. Everyone I have spoken to supports the idea of ​​the US owning that strip of land."

In addition, Mr. Trump proposed that Palestinians in Gaza move to a new location provided by one or more Middle Eastern countries. Instead of Gaza, he proposed that Palestinians should be provided with a new, "beautiful and good" land to live.

Before welcoming the Israeli Prime Minister to the Oval Office at the White House, President Trump commented: "I mean they're there because they have no other choice. What do they have? Right now, it's a big wreck."

President Trump did not immediately provide details on how the US would manage Gaza or what its plan of action would be in the strip. “The United States will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do our job there,” Trump said. “We will manage Gaza and take care of all the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons that are there.” He said the US would work to develop the region’s economy after clearing the destroyed buildings.

White House boss Trump also did not rule out the possibility of sending US troops to protect Gaza. Responding to reporters' questions, Mr. Trump emphasized: "On the Gaza issue, we will do what is necessary. If necessary, we will do it."

For his part, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas “will end the conflict by winning” and “Israel’s victory will be America’s victory.”

Earlier, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said in an interview with Breitbart news site on February 4 that Doha is counting on US President Donald Trump to support efforts to reach the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

“We are counting on President Trump and his administration to send a clear message that they support the negotiation process and the second phase of the ceasefire, and that they will support this process throughout the peace process,” Majed al-Ansari said.

In January, Qatar and the United States, the two mediators of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, officially announced a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The truce, which began on January 19, will see Hamas release 33 hostages in the first phase, which will last for six weeks, in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinians it has detained. Details of the second and third phases of the deal will be announced once the first phase is complete.