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President Trump declared today that Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip have “no alternative” but to leave the enclave because of the devastation wrought there by Israel in its war with Hamas. Trump suggested that Jordan and Egypt should take in the Palestinians.
“I don’t know how they could want to stay,” the president said. “It’s a demolition site. It’s a pure demolition site.”
Trump tried to frame the matter as a humanitarian imperative. But neither Egypt nor Jordan wants large numbers of Palestinians, nor is it clear that Gazans would willingly abandon the enclave they have spent years defending.
The president suggested the U.S. could help Palestinians “find the right piece of land” and “build them some really nice places.” He said he envisions it being a permanent relocation: “I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza,” Trump said. “Gaza is not a place for people to be living.”
Trump made the comments shortly before a White House meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel — the president’s first in-person meeting with another world leader since returning to power two weeks ago. The two leaders were expected to talk about the next stage of a cease-fire in the Gaza war, Iran’s efforts to build a nuclear weapon and hopes for a deal to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.
Trump and Netanyahu are set to hold a joint news conference. Follow for updates.
In the West Bank, two Israeli soldiers were killed in a shooting attack as Israel pressed ahead with a military operation there.
