By Staff Reporter
President Donald Trump said he wants the US to take over the war-shattered Gaza Strip after Palestinians are displaced to neighbouring countries, and develop the territory so the “world’s people” will live there.
Trump unveiled his shocking plan during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the White House on Tuesday for a bilateral meeting.
Throughout the day, Trump stoked controversy by suggesting Palestinians would “love to leave” Gaza, spurring fears he would back an ethnic cleansing campaign.
Hamas released a statement in response to Trump, saying his plans are “a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region. Our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass”.
Protesters gathered in Washington, DC, to slam Netanyahu’s visit, accusing Trump of inviting a “war criminal” into the White House.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 61,700 people, according to a revised toll by the Gaza Government Media Office, which says thousands of missing people are now presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive.
