President Donald Trump today sent shockwaves around the globe by announcing that the United States intends to "take over and own" the Gaza Strip, suggesting all Palestinians should be relocated from the conflict-afflicted territory into "a beautiful area". In a move that caught international observers off-guard, Trump addressed the unlivable conditions in Gaza and advanced the idea of finding an alternative location during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"You can't live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location," Trump asserted in a prior Oval Office meeting with Netanyahu, deriding the long history of strife in the region. He added: "I think it should be a location that's going to make people happy. You look over the decades, it's all death in Gaza.". Later, at the press briefing, Trump left attendees astonished by stating: "I do see a long-term ownership position," responding to queries about America governing the territory indefinitely.

Trump proposed this radical move as a means to fostering regional stability, affirming, "This is not a decision made lightly. Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.". Journalists were left scratching their heads, trying to make sense of proposals that seem at odds with Trump's previously isolationist stance on US foreign policy. The bombshell suggestion that the US might take control of Gaza and occupy it had never been heard before this press conference.

Trump didn't dismiss the idea of deploying US troops to Gaza, stating when quizzed by a reporter: "As far as Gaza is concerned, we'll do what is necessary. If it's necessary, we'll do that.". He hinted at an upcoming announcement regarding potential Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank "in the next four weeks," claiming regional support for his views and noting that while no decision has been made, "people do like the idea.".

Trump expressed his vision for the US to assume ownership of the Gaza Strip, with plans to redevelop it following the relocation of Palestinian residents to other nations. However, he stopped short of detailing how the US would manage and repurpose the area. "The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site," Trump declared. He envisioned economic development for Gaza post-cleanup of the war-torn buildings.

In private talks with Netanyahu, Trump revealed they concentrated on strategies to dismantle Hamas and bring tranquility "to a troubled region.". He said the US would work to economically develop the area after cleaning out the destroyed buildings. At the outset of a joint press conference, Trump launched a stinging barb at his predecessor Joe Biden, accusing him of accomplishing "nothing for four years" in the Middle East apart from showcasing pure incompetence. "Unfortunately the weakness and incompetence of those years," Trump declared, inflicted "grave damage" across the world.

Trump boldly stated his intention to visit Gaza personally. Taking on his critics, he insisted that his plans don't align with endorsing a two-state resolution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The incumbent president depicted the region as a veritable "living hell.". but optimistically suggested, "I think they'll be settled in areas where they can live a beautiful life and not be worried about dying every day.".

Describing Gaza as unfit for habitation, Trump claimed that its people only contemplate returning out of sheer lack of alternatives. "Gaza is not a place for people to be living, and the only reason they want to go back, and I believe this strongly, is because they have no alternative," he elaborated. Trump contended that the responsibility for reconstructing the devastated region and concluding its occupation shouldn't fall upon "the same people". Previously, Trump has prompted Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab states to give temporary refuge to Gazans amidst rebuilding efforts post-conflict with Israel and Hamas, the Mirror US notes.

However, it was only during Tuesday's remarks that he publicly mooted making such resettlement durable. Trump expressed his aspiration to see a situation emerge where people wouldn't feel compelled to return, questioning: "Who would want to go back? They've experienced nothing but death and destruction.". Trump reinforced his belief, emphasising that "nobody" wanted to venture back due to the intense combat conditions. "It's too dangerous for people. Nobody can go there. It's too dangerous," he maintained.

He further expressed concern about the safety of military personnel, saying: "Nobody wants to be there. Warriors don't want to be there. Soldiers don't want to be there. How can you have people go back? You're saying go back into Gaza now? The same thing's going to happen. It'll only be death.". Despite the destruction witnessed in Gaza, Palestinians view it as an integral part of their envisaged future state and consistently resist the notion of being uprooted. Instead, many residents show a steadfast willingness to remain and rebuild.