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The Donald Trump administration on Wednesday said that the US President has not committed to deploying the country's military in the Gaza Strip as part of his proposal for a US takeover of the Palestinian enclave. The White House's comments came a day after the Republican leader's surprise announcement that the US would take over Gaza after permanently resettling its residents, drawing global condemnation.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump believes the United States needs to be involved in the rebuilding of Gaza "to ensure stability in the region". "That does not mean boots on the ground in Gaza," she said.
In contrast to Trump’s "permanent resettlement" proposal on Tuesday, Leavitt said that the President wants to see Palestinians living in Gaza "temporarily relocated" in order for the enclave to be rebuilt. Leavitt did not elaborate on the shift in rhetoric.
Trump, in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after their meeting at the White House, announced that his country will take over the war-torn Palestinian territory after the Palestinians are resettled elsewhere and "will develop it" and "own it." He asserted that he envisions "long-term US ownership" of Gaza.
The region has been reduced to rubble due to intense bombardment, as Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have been embroiled in a brutal conflict in Gaza since October 2023, until a recent ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Trump has offered for the US to take responsibility for the reconstruction of Gaza, calling it a "unique offer" to step in and clear the debris and destruction. He added that people would need to live somewhere while it is rebuilt. He emphasised that the offer was not intended as a hostile move and that details still needed to be worked out.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Pentagon was prepared to look at all options for Gaza. "The president is willing to think outside the box, look for new and unique, dynamic ways to solve problems that have felt like they were intractable ... We're prepared to look at all options," he said.
Trump's comments drew sharp condemnation from across the world, even as his supporters backed the announcement.
United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres urged President Donald Trump on Wednesday to avoid "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza.
"In the search for solutions, we must not make the problem worse. It is vital to stay true to the bedrock of international law. It is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing," Guterres said, adding "We must reaffirm the two-state solution".
The Palestinian Authority is expected to issue a formal response to the US President soon.
Published On:
Feb 6, 2025
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