In a major policy announcement alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former President Donald Trump declared that the United States will take control of the Gaza Strip, vowing to rebuild the devastated region and turn it into a flourishing economic hub. Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Trump emphasized that his vision for Gaza includes long-term American management, with potential military involvement if necessary.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said. “We’ll own it.” He detailed a plan to clear unexploded ordnance, demolish ruined infrastructure, and lay the foundation for a robust economic development zone. He insisted that this approach would create “unlimited numbers of jobs and housing” and transform Gaza into a prosperous area beneficial not just to Israel but to the broader Middle East.
????President Trump announces that the U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip.
"We’ll own it." pic.twitter.com/CYe99zZD43
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) February 5, 2025
Trump framed the initiative as an opportunity to build something “very, very strong, very powerful, and very, very good for the area.” He envisioned an internationally diverse population inhabiting the revitalized region, with some Palestinians remaining. “I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable,” he said. “I think representatives from all over the world will be there.” He went on to describe the future of Gaza as the “Riviera of the Middle East,” underscoring his belief in its economic potential.
Netanyahu praised Trump’s vision, calling it an idea worth serious consideration. “I think it’s something that could change history, and I think it is worth pursuing this avenue,” he said. The Israeli leader highlighted Trump’s unwavering support for Israel, calling him the “greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” He expressed gratitude for Trump’s prior actions, including cutting funding to UNRWA, removing sanctions on Israeli civilians, and reinstating a maximum pressure campaign against Iran.
During an earlier meeting in the Oval Office, Trump went a step further, asserting that the entire population of Gaza—estimated at 1.7 million people—should be relocated elsewhere. When asked how many Gazans he planned to resettle, Trump was unequivocal. “All of them,” he stated, arguing that they should be moved to areas where they could “live a beautiful life and not be worried about dying every day.” He dismissed claims that neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan would reject such a plan, asserting, “They won’t tell me no. I want to remove all the residents of Gaza. It will happen.”
Trump characterized Gaza as a “demolition site,” suggesting that people only remain there due to a lack of alternatives. His remarks signaled an intent to completely reshape the region, with the United States assuming a central role in determining its future. The scope of such a plan would mark an unprecedented level of American involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, effectively rewriting decades of diplomatic and military strategy.
Netanyahu also addressed the broader security landscape, pointing out that both he and Trump had been targets of Iranian assassination attempts. Earlier that day, Trump confirmed that he had established a contingency plan to respond decisively if Iran were to succeed in assassinating him. “I left instructions—if they do it, they get obliterated,” he said. “There won’t be anything left.”
Trump’s announcement signals a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy, with significant implications for both Middle Eastern stability and America’s role in the region. By asserting control over Gaza, the U.S. would be committing itself to a long-term and highly complex reconstruction effort, one that could reshape alliances and further entrench American military and economic influence in the Middle East. While Trump’s plan is framed as an opportunity for prosperity, its feasibility and geopolitical ramifications remain uncertain.
