Trump seeks U.S. ownership of Gaza

WASHINGTON,— U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States is committed to controlling Gaza and preventing Hamas Islamist militants from regaining power, though other Middle Eastern countries may be involved in rebuilding parts of the war-ravaged enclave.

“We are taking Gaza, we are making sure Hamas doesn’t come back,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

“As for rebuilding, we may let other Middle Eastern states handle sections of it under our oversight. Others may do it, but we will be in charge.”

Trump described Gaza as completely devastated after months of Israeli strikes, saying, “There’s nothing left standing. The rest will be cleared. Everything is destroyed.”

He also signaled that some Gaza refugees could be considered for resettlement in the United States, but only on a case-by-case basis.

Hamas, the Islamist group that has ruled Gaza since 2007 and is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries, strongly rejected Trump’s comments.

Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement that Gaza is “not a property for sale” and vowed that Gazans would resist any displacement efforts.

Trump has previously floated the idea of permanently removing Gaza’s population and transforming the area into what he called a “Riviera of the Middle East.” He has also proposed a large-scale U.S.-led rebuilding effort, but details remain unclear.

Trump’s comments triggered sharp criticism from multiple world leaders, with uncertainty over the legal and diplomatic basis for any U.S. claim over Gaza.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Sunday that Trump is expected to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and possibly Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, though no dates have been confirmed.

“President Trump is scheduled to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah, the Egyptian president, and possibly the Saudi crown prince,” Herzog told Fox News. “These leaders must be consulted, and their perspectives considered in any future discussions.”

Saudi Arabia has rejected Trump’s proposal outright, and Jordan’s King Abdullah is expected to warn him during a February 11 meeting in Washington that the plan could destabilize the region and threaten Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel, according to Reuters.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on Israel, using tactics similar to those of the Islamic State group. According to Israeli officials, the assault resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians and children. In addition, more than 250 people were taken hostage.

(With files from AP)