President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will take control of the Gaza Strip, dismantle unexploded ordnance, and oversee reconstruction efforts following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Trump outlined his administration’s vision for the territory, emphasizing a long-term U.S. presence aimed at stabilizing the region and fostering economic development.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too,” Trump stated. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.” He added that the plan would involve clearing the area, removing damaged structures, and implementing large-scale development initiatives to create jobs and housing.
Trump asserted that this approach would bring long-term stability to the Middle East. “If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years,” he said. “I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East.”
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too.” –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/aCqLl9Gwwn
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) February 5, 2025
Netanyahu, who became the first world leader to visit the White House during Trump’s second term, echoed the president’s stance and reiterated Israel’s objectives regarding Gaza. “I have three goals, and one of them is to make sure that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again,” Netanyahu said. “President Trump is taking it to a much higher level. He sees a different future for that piece of land that has been the focus of so much terrorism.”
During their meeting, Trump and Netanyahu discussed several key regional issues, including the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Iran’s influence in the Middle East, and potential efforts to resettle Gaza residents in other countries.
“In our meetings today, the prime minister and I focused on the future, discussing how we can work together to ensure Hamas is eliminated and ultimately restore peace to a very troubled region,” Trump said. “It’s been troubled, but what’s happened in the last four years has not been good.”
Trump characterized Gaza as a site of long-term suffering and instability. “It should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have really stood there and fought for it and lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there,” he stated.
Netanyahu praised Trump’s leadership and willingness to consider unconventional solutions. “Your willingness to puncture conventional thinking, thinking that has failed time and time and time again, your willingness to think outside the box with fresh ideas, will help us achieve all these goals,” he said.
The Israeli prime minister also framed Israel’s actions as aligned with American interests. “Israel’s victory will be America’s victory,” Netanyahu said. “We will not only win the war working together, we will win the peace. With your leadership, Mr. President, and our partnership, I believe that we will forge a brilliant future for our region and bring our great alliance to even greater heights.”
Further details regarding the timeline and logistics of the U.S. plan for Gaza were not disclosed, and officials from both governments are expected to continue discussions on implementation.
