The US “will take over” the war-torn Gaza Strip, “own it,” and carry out economic development there that would generate “unlimited numbers of jobs and housing,” according to President Donald Trump’s unexpected declaration.

These statements were delivered by Trump on Tuesday as he was accompanied by visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint news conference at the White House.

Trump did not specify who would be permitted to reside on the property, but he did recommend that the US develop it.

The “around 2 million people” who are now Palestinians in Gaza, he said, should all leave and be relocated to other Middle Eastern nations.

“The United States will occupy the Gaza Strip, and we will also work there. Trump said, “We’ll own it and be in charge of leveling the site, removing the damaged buildings, and dismantling all of the hazardous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.”

“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,” he said.

“The Palestinians have no other choice, which is the sole reason they want to return to Gaza. It’s a demolition site at the moment. This is only a place for destruction. Almost all of the buildings are closed. They are living under collapsed concrete, which is very risky and unstable. As an alternative to having to start again, people may live in peace and harmony and inhabit a whole magnificent region with houses and safety,” Trump said.

As he outlined preparations for the US to occupy the region, Trump said that the US would “do what is necessary” when asked whether the US would deploy soldiers to Gaza and implied that he would go there.

Since the militant organization Hamas launched their offensive on October 7, 2023, Gaza has been devastated by the conflict with its neighbor, Israel.

Trump referred to the Gaza Strip as a “hell hole right now” and a “symbol of death and devastation,” saying that it is “so horrible for the people anywhere around it, and particularly those who live there…. It hasn’t been good. This location has long been unfortunate.

“We’ll be a great keeper of something that is very, very strong, very powerful, and very, very good for the area, not just for Israel, for the entire Middle East, very important,” Trump said. There will be thousands of jobs available once again, and they will be for everyone—not just a certain demographic.

In response to a question regarding whether the US would occupy a sovereign country permanently, Trump said, “I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East.”

He stated that all the people he has talked to about it “loves the idea of the US owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent in a really magnificent area that nobody would know, nobody can look because all they see is death and destruction and rubble and demolished buildings falling all over, just a terrible, terrible sight.”

“I believe this is a very great initiative that has received a lot of applause, and I’m talking about the highest level of leadership. and if the US can contribute to Middle Eastern peace and stability. That’s what we’ll do,” Trump said.

Regarding the US occupying Gaza, Netanyahu said, “I think it’s something that could change history.”

Netanyahu said that Israel’s objective is to ensure that “Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again.” “And I think it’s really worth pursuing this avenue,” Netanyahu added.

It’s being taken to a whole new level by President Trump.

“That piece of land that has been the focus of so much terrorism, so many attacks against us, so many trials and so many tribulations” is what he envisions as having a new future. His idea is different. And I believe this is something worth considering. We are discussing it. He is researching it with his team and people. It’s worth seriously following this path since I believe it has the potential to alter history.

Trump said, “I envision world people living in the Gaza Strip after it is rebuilt,” when asked who he envisioned residing there. The people of the planet. I believe you’ll turn it into a fantastic, global destination. I believe that the Gaza Strip has incredible potential. Furthermore, I believe that representatives from all around the globe will be there and will reside there. Palestinians, too. There, Palestinians will reside. There will be a large population there.

According to Trump, “you have to learn from history” and history cannot be allowed to repeat itself. “We have a chance to take a potentially amazing action. And I don’t want to come out as beautiful or an intelligent person, but the Middle East Riviera may be something really amazing.”