NATIONAL & US NEWS

Trump talks Gaza takeover and other takeaways from his appearance with Netanyahu

Feb 4, 2025, 9:02 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump offered a jaw-dropping performance during his joint news conference Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip could be permanently resettled elsewhere and that the U.S. might stage a long-term takeover of the vacated region — even leading redevelopment efforts to make it a seaside paradise in waiting.

He refused to rule out sending U.S. troops in to seal the deal, and said he himself — ever the real estate developer — might pay a personal visit.

Here are some takeaways from Trump’s remarks:

Trump’s comments could upend the ceasefire in Gaza

Negotiations to sustain the tenuous ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas — and secure the liberation of the remaining living hostages in captivity there, including at least one American — are set to begin in earnest this week. Trump’s audacious proposal to relocate roughly 1.8 million Palestinians from the land they have called home, and look to as part of a future state, could completely upend those negotiations.

The framework for the talks calls for surging humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to help the people of Gaza recover after more than 15 months of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas. It was always going to be a challenge for mediators to try to win Hamas’ agreement to be uprooted as the governing authority in the territory.

Trump’s suggestions that the U.S. take ownership of the area and redevelop it, with the possible support of American troops, is a sure non-starter for the militant group. It is also likely to put new stress on Qatar and Egypt, the other mediators in the talks, who have long advocated for Palestinian statehood.

A breakdown in the negotiations could see the return to fighting in Gaza — jeopardizing the fates of the remaining living hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups in the territory.

The suggestions were quickly panned in the Middle East

Trump’s comments were immediately repudiated by Saudi Arabia, whose foreign ministry issued a sharply worded statement that the nation’s long call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.”

Saudi Arabia has been in negotiations with the U.S. over a deal to diplomatically recognize Israel in exchange for a security pact and other terms. But the ministry’s statement noted Saudi Arabia’s “absolute rejection” of efforts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

“The duty of the international community today,” the statement added, “is to work to alleviate the severe human suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain committed to their land and will not budge from it.”

Hamas, in its own statement said, “We reject Trump’s statements in which he said that the residents of the Gaza Strip have no choice but to leave, and we consider them a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.”

An isolationist president is open to sending US troops to Gaza

Trump has built a political persona around an “America first” mantra that promotes isolationism, and is proud of the fact that the U.S. is currently not engaged in any foreign military conflicts.

So the fact that he might be ready to dispatch U.S. troops to Gaza is nothing short of stunning.

The president said he wants the U.S. to take “long-term” ownership of the Gaza and redevelop it after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere. Asked if that might involve American military forces, Trump replied, “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary.”

“If it’s necessary,” he added, “We’ll do that.”

Trump is in real estate developer mode

Trump, who became famous as a 1980s New York real estate developer, still often gleefully looks at the world that way — and it showed on Tuesday.

The president said he envisions “the world’s people” living in a redeveloped Gaza that he said could look like “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

“This could be something that could be so valuable. This could be so magnificent,” Trump said, adding that “most importantly,” the people that live there would be able to live in peace and, “We’ll make sure that it’s done world-class.”

Trump said that eventually he envisioned “Palestinians, mostly” living in the region but also described his vision for Gaza as “an international, unbelievable place.”

The president also said he planned to visit Israel during his second term in office and even suggested he might go to Gaza — a trip that would present unprecedented logistical and security challenges.

Trump keeps expressing reluctance about his own Iran stance

Amid precarious ceasefire and hostage negotiations, Trump has also begun expressing reluctance about the pressure his administration is seeking to put on Iran.

Trump made it clear he would like to negotiate with one of America’s top adversaries to allow it to prosper — as long as Iran commits to not developing a nuclear weapon. He twice said he “hated” signing an executive order earlier Tuesday instructing the U.S. to impose maximum pressure on Tehran.

“I want Iran to be peaceful and successful. I hated doing it,” the president said.

Trump then sought to address the people of Iran directly by saying he “would love to be able to make a great deal, a deal where you can get on with your lives. You’ll do wonderfully.”

That tone was a noticeable departure from unapologetically tough words Trump offered about some of America’s allies in recent days — threatening tariffs against Canada and Mexico and suggesting that similar levies could be coming against the European Union.

Trump praised the Iranians as “industrious, beautiful” and “incredible people,” and said his one requirement as he seeks a deal with them is that they don’t obtain a nuclear weapon. He also said if Iran can convince the U.S. that they won’t, “I think they’re going to have an unbelievable future.”

“I hope we’re going to be able to do something so that it doesn’t end up in a very catastrophic situation. I don’t want to see that happen,” Trump said. “I really want to see peace.”

Trump’s takeover list is growing

And now it’s designs on Gaza.

Trump’s suggestions that the U.S. could occupy Gaza, with the possible support of U.S. troops, follows his threatening to take the Panama Canal by military force. And that came after his repeated insistence the U.S. can somehow wrest control of Greenland from Denmark, and that Canadians would like to become the 51st state.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., didn’t mince words when asked about Trump’s suggestions for Gaza: “He’s completely lost it.”

“He wants a U.S. invasion of Gaza, which would cost thousands of American lives and set the Middle East on fire for 20 years?” asked the Democrat from Connecticut. “It’s sick.”

___

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

National & US News

FILE - Former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Secretary o...

Associated Press

Can Trump bring unions into the GOP fold? His labor nominee presents a major test

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has repeatedly challenged Senate Republicans with his Cabinet picks. But his nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for labor secretary may be proving the hardest for many to accept. Chavez-DeRemer, a former congresswoman from Oregon, hardly cuts the profile of a traditional Republican nominee. She is the daughter of a lifelong […]

12 hours ago

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fi...

Associated Press

Super Bowl delivers moving tributes, memorable action and a historic presidential visit

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in the first Super Bowl to be held in New Orleans in a dozen years. It was played amid heavy security — and with President Donald Trump in attendance — just 41 days after a man plowed a truck into New Year’s […]

16 hours ago

A Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) feeds on agave nectar in Nuevo León, Mexico, in J...

Associated Press

Mexican long-nosed bats are no strangers to southeastern Arizona. The proof is in the saliva

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Scientists have long suspected that Mexican long-nosed bats migrate through southeastern Arizona, but without capturing and measuring the night-flying creatures, proof has been elusive. Researchers say they now have a way to tell the endangered species apart from other bats by analyzing saliva the nocturnal mammals leave behind when sipping nectar […]

19 hours ago

President Donald Trump gestures to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts after being sworn in as...

Associated Press

Supreme Court that Trump helped shape could have the last word on his aggressive executive orders

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will need the Supreme Court, with three justices he appointed, to enable the most aggressive of the many actions he has taken in just the first few weeks of his second White House term. But even a conservative majority with a robust view of presidential power might balk at […]

19 hours ago

Hadi Matar, right, charged with severely injuring author Salman Rushdie in a 2022 knife attack, sit...

Associated Press

Opening statements set in trial of man accused of trying to kill Salman Rushdie

MAYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — Lawyers are scheduled to deliver opening statements Monday at the trial of the man charged with trying to fatally stab author Salman Rushdie in front of a lecture audience in western New York. Rushdie, 77, is expected to testify during the trial of Hadi Matar, bringing the writer face-to-face with his […]

19 hours ago

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (33) scores a touchdown after intercepting a pass ...

Associated Press

Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat with dominant defense in 40-22 rout

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cooper DeJean, Josh Sweat and the Philadelphia Eagles’ ferocious defense denied Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat. It wasn’t even close. 22nd birthday, Sweat tormented Mahomes and the Eagles routed the Chiefs 40-22 on Sunday to secure the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship. Jalen […]

20 hours ago

Trump talks Gaza takeover and other takeaways from his appearance with Netanyahu