President Donald Trump gave joint remarks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening in the White House, and marking a historic announcement: the United States will take control of the Gaza strip and give embattled Palestinians a new home, thereby giving Israel security and peace.
“Today, I’m delighted to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu back to the White House, it’s a wonderful feeling, it’s a wonderful event,” Trump said during his initial remarks.
He elevated the “bonds of friendship and affection between America and the Israeli people” and noted that this relationship was “unbreakable.” He also reflected on the tremendous peace in the Middle East due to his first administration’s policies, including the implementation of the Abraham Accords.
Trump further condemned the savagery of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis and 40 Americans. “They have stood strong and united in the face of an enemy that has kidnapped, tortured, and slaughtered innocent men, women, and children and even little babies,” Trump said.
These comments paved a path to his most profound announcement of the evening: the United States will take control of the Gaza strip after resettling Palestinians who have attempted to lay claim to the territory for decades.
Trump referred to the region as a “symbol of death and destruction” and noted “it’s been very unlucky.”
The president said that other countries “with humanitarian hearts” are now willing to take in the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza, and described the future resettlement as a way to end the “death and destruction and frankly, bad luck.”
He explained, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza strip…and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.”
The president stated that the U.S. would instead create an “economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
In his remarks, Prime Minister Netanyahu praised President Trump for his ability to “think outside the box” and envision fresh solutions to ancient problems.
“You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House,” he stated. “That’s why the people of Israel have such enormous support for you.”
He also complimented Trump as a man of “common sense.”
Netanyahu continued, “You cut to the chase, you see things others refuse to see, you say things others refuse to say, and after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and say, ‘You know, he’s right.’”
And now, thanks to the reformed partnership between Israel and the United States, Netanyahu projected confidence that his country’s three stated goals could be achieved: dismantle Hamas, secure the release of remaining hostages, and ensure that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again.
“I believe that we will forge a brilliant future for our region and bring our great alliance to even greater heights,” he concluded.
