 "US President Donald Trump. File image/ Reuters")
US President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated his ’takeover Gaza’ plan despite being on the receiving end of widespread criticism from all around the world.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting.”
He added, “The Palestinians, people like Chuck Schumer, would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region.”
Earlier this week, Trump proposed moving Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas war comes to an end. His claims came as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who became the first foreign leader to have met POTUS after his reelection.
His suggestion invited immediate gasps from leaders across the world who slammed Trump for the outlandish idea. The United Nations warned that any forced displacement of Palestinians would be “tantamount to ethnic cleansing”.
The Republican leader insisted “everybody loves” the plan, saying it would involve the United States taking over Gaza.
On Thursday, the president said that if the plan goes through, Palestinians would “actually have a chance to be happy, safe and free.”
“The U.S., working with great development teams from all over the World, would slowly and carefully begin the construction of what would become one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth. No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed!”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIsrael army takes words to action
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the army on Thursday to prepare for “voluntary” departures from the Gaza Strip.
Katz said that he had instructed the military to formulate a plan for Palestinians to leave Gaza, which has been ravaged by more than a year of war.
“I have instructed the IDF (military) to prepare a plan to enable voluntary departure for Gaza residents,” Katz said, adding that they could go “to any country willing to accept them”.
“The plan will include exit options through land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air,” he added, branding Trump’s plan as “bold”.
With inputs from agencies