POTUS DJT–‘We’re going to take care of the Palestinians and make sure they’re not murdered’

Times of Israel

US President Donald Trump insisted on Sunday that he is determined to buy and own the Gaza Strip, but said he could allow sections of the war-ravaged land to be rebuilt by other states in the Middle East.

‘I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it; other people may do it, through our auspices, but we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back.’

Trump made his remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to New Orleans to attend the National Football League Super Bowl championship.

He was referring to his plan to relocate all of Gaza’s population and rebuild the Strip to create ‘the Riviera of the Middle East.’

‘There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished. Everything’s demolished,’ he said.

Trump also said he was open to the possibility of allowing Palestinian refugees into the United States, but would consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.

‘We’re going to take care of the Palestinians and make sure they’re not murdered,’ he said.

Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, condemned Trump’s remarks in a statement issued by the terror group. Hamas started the war with its onslaught of October 7, 2023, in which 251 were taken as hostages to the Strip.

‘Gaza is not a property to be sold and bought. It is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land,’ and Palestinians will foil displacement plans, Rishq added.

Trump last week floated the idea of the United States taking over Gaza and engaging in a massive rebuilding effort.

His statement was vague on the future of Palestinians and it was unclear under what authority the United States would take claim of Gaza. Trump’s announcement drew immediate rebukes from several nations.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Trump was set to meet with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and possibly Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although he gave no dates for the talks.

The comments, delivered in an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, came in response to a question about Trump’s proposal to take over and redevelop Gaza.

Herzog did not say when or where the meetings would take place, nor did he discuss their potential content. He also noted that Trump is due to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah in the coming days, which Jordan’s state news agency has already reported.

‘President Trump is due to meet with major Arab leaders, first and foremost the king of Jordan and the president of Egypt and I think also the crown prince of Saudi Arabia as well,’ Herzog said.

‘These are partners that must be listened to, they must be discussed with. We have to honor their feelings as well and see how we build a plan that is sustainable for the future,’ Herzog said.

Saudi Arabia has flatly rejected Trump’s Gaza plan, as have many world leaders.

Jordan’s King Abdullah plans to tell Trump during their planned February 11 meeting in Washington that the proposal is a recipe for radicalism that will spread chaos through the Middle East and jeopardize the kingdom’s peace with Israel, Reuters reported last week.