Trump announces he wants to occupy Gaza: What will be the fate of the region?

Compiled by: Suat TEKİN - 12punto.com.tr

The US is preparing to occupy Gaza. Netanyahu, who went to Washington on Sunday, had claimed that they would reshape the map of the Middle East. The Israeli leader, who met with US President Donald Trump, expressed his belief that his 'allies' would support him. Earlier today, the two leaders held a press conference at the White House. During the meeting, Trump stated that he would place US troops in Gaza and that they would 'take over' control of the region.

Speaking at the press conference, Trump noted that he wanted the war-torn Gaza Strip to be taken over by the US following the migration of Palestinians to neighboring countries, and for the region to be developed in a way that people from all over the world could live there. Emphasizing that the 'US will take over the Gaza Strip,' Trump argued that they would be responsible for providing economic development that would create an unlimited number of jobs and housing for the people of the region.

Al Jazeera described Trump's plans as an ''operation to seize Gaza,'' while characterizing the idea of 'sending' Gazans to other countries as 'exile.' The newspaper's report pointed out that Trump implied Gazans would 'like the idea of exile,' and used the term 'ethnic cleansing' for the plans of the US President and Netanyahu.

CNN carried Trump's statements with the headline ''Trump's Riviera plan is the strangest peace plan ever seen in the US's Middle East peace mission.'' While asking 'Is Trump serious?' in the report, it was noted that a possible US military intervention could trigger new conflicts in the region.

'All settlements in the north of Gaza have been destroyed as a result of Israel's attacks. It is on record that more than 60 thousand Palestinians have been killed in the attacks. Experts state that the actual death toll could be over 200 thousand' Al Jazeera

Emphasizing his support for Netanyahu during the meeting, Trump explained his plans for Gaza at the press conference with the following words:

''The US will take over the Gaza Strip... We will own this place and we will be responsible for clearing all dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the ground, leveling the field, getting rid of destroyed buildings, and providing economic development that will provide an unlimited number of jobs and housing for the people of the region.''

On the other hand, calling those living in Gaza 'the unlucky ones,' Trump noted the following regarding the 'places where Gazans might live in the future':

"This can be paid for by neighboring countries with great wealth. It could be one, two, three, four, five, seven, eight, twelve. There could be many settlement areas or one large area... The reason Palestinians want to return to Gaza is that they have no alternative."

According to NBC News, Netanyahu underscored that they would continue to discuss the future of Gaza with Trump. The report also included the detail that Trump described the meeting as a 'Very big (important) meeting.'

WHO WILL GAZA BELONG TO IN THE FUTURE?

During the joint press statement, journalists questioned the plans announced for the future of Gaza. Stating that they are planning a 'long-term takeover' for the good of the 'people of the region,' Trump also repeated during his speech that Gazans would be sent to other countries. When Trump stated that Gaza would be the 'Riviera of the Middle East,' journalists asked who they planned to have live in the region.

The US President responded to this question with the following words:

"When it comes to Gaza, we will do what is necessary. If it is necessary, we will do it... We will take it (Gaza) over, we will develop it, we will create thousands and thousands of jobs, and this will be something the entire Middle East can be proud of. I see a long-term ownership position. And I think this will bring great stability to that part of the Middle East and perhaps the entire Middle East... I foresee people of the world living there. Representatives from all over the world, including Palestinians."

US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson supported Trump in a statement he made on his X account. The Republican figure stated the following in his announcement:

''The United States stands firmly with the people of Israel and the Middle East, who have not experienced peace for many, many years. Violence and hatred do not have to define the region's future. President Trump took a bold step today in hopes of achieving lasting peace in Gaza. We hope this will bring much-needed stability and security to the region.''

The United States stands firmly with Israel and the people of the Middle East, which haven't experienced peace in many, many years. Violence and hatred do not have to define the region's future.

Today, President Trump took bold action in hopes of achieving lasting peace in… https://t.co/mk5FthXNZz

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 5, 2025

No details have been announced yet regarding Trump's plans to send troops to Gaza. On the other hand, it has been determined that Israel is building military bases in the regions it occupies in Syria. Despite largely withdrawing from the areas it occupied in Lebanon, Israel continues its advance in Syria and the West Bank.

Last weekend, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) exiled Palestinians from the areas it captured in Jenin. While the IDF was destroying civilian infrastructure, it was noted in a statement from the army that they were 'strengthening their defensive positions.'

PROTESTS IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE

Protesters opposing the war and occupation gathered in front of the White House. In the demonstration, people carried banners arguing that Netanyahu is a war criminal and stating that Trump had ''invited the criminal to the Oval Office.''

While the phrase 'Palestine is not for sale' was used on the banners carried by the activists, slogans such as 'Question what your country is doing for Israel', '(For Netanyahu) The head of state of genocide' and 'Palestine will be free' were also featured.

The first reaction to Trump's statements regarding Gaza came from Saudi Arabia. In a statement released by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a call was made to the US and Israel to recognize the State of Palestine. Furthermore, the Ministry reiterated that it would not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless the State of Palestine is also legally recognized by Israel.

RESPONSE FROM HAMAS: 'OUR PEOPLE WILL NOT ACCEPT IT'

There were reactions from Hamas to what Trump said in his meeting with Netanyahu. Against Trump's plans to 'exile' Gazans and for a ''long-term occupation of Gaza,'' Hamas announced that it would not accept what the US proposed.

Hamas Spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri stated in his announcement that Trump's words were unacceptable and reacted to Trump with the following words:

''We see this as a recipe for chaos and tension in the region... Our people will not accept this imposition... What should happen is not the exile of our people from their lands, but the end of the occupation and aggression against our people.''

Hamas Political Bureau Member Izzat al-Rishq explained that they would not accept Trump's plan with the following words:

''Our people in Gaza have prevented plans for displacement and deportation under bombardment for more than 15 months... Gazans are rooted in their own lands... Our people will not accept any plan that aims to uproot them from their homeland.''

News Source : 12punto