Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently met US President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first visit by a foreign leader since Trump returned to office on 20 January.
The meeting focused on critical issues, including the ongoing war in Gaza, strategies to counter Iran, and the potential for an Israel-Saudi Arabia normalisation deal.
During the meeting, Netanyahu described Trump as the "greatest friend" Israel has ever had in the White House. He praised the US President's approach to handling Middle Eastern conflicts and expressed confidence that Trump's fresh ideas could help Israel achieve its goal of eliminating Hamas.
In a joint press conference, Trump made a surprising statement, suggesting that the United States should take control of Gaza, referring to the region as a "demolition site."
He proposed redeveloping the war-torn area once Palestinians had been resettled elsewhere. Netanyahu welcomed the idea, calling it a plan that could "change history" and one that was "worth pursuing."
Trump revealed that discussions during the closed-door meeting included methods to dismantle Hamas. He also reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons. He hinted at the possibility of making a "great deal" with Iran to prevent a catastrophic situation.
Trump further announced his intention to visit Gaza, along with trips to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries.
He described the region as vibrant and filled with great people, underlining his interest in future engagement. Netanyahu, in response to Trump's comments, said the President had a "different vision" for Gaza and that it was worth considering.
When asked about the fate of Palestinians displaced from Gaza, Trump suggested that Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations should temporarily host them. He expressed hope that the situation could be managed in a way that would make many of them unwilling to return to the conflict-ridden territory.
Trump avoided answering questions about whether he supported a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Instead, he stated that the people of Gaza had "never had a real chance at life." He described the region as a potential "Riviera of the Middle East" if properly redeveloped.
Netanyahu made it clear that Israel intended to win the war in Gaza decisively. He compared the situation to World War II, saying that peace in Europe would not have been possible if the Nazi regime had remained intact. He stressed that Hamas must be eliminated for long-term stability.
Trump also expressed doubts about the durability of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He said that while progress had been made in securing the release of hostages, the situation remained complex.
He criticised the previous Biden administration, suggesting it had not been helpful in managing the crisis.
When asked about deploying US troops to Gaza, Trump did not rule out the possibility. He said that if necessary, the United States would take whatever steps were required to secure the region.
Trump reiterated his stance on Iran, stating that the country must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. However, he suggested that Iran could benefit greatly if it could convince him that it would not pursue nuclear ambitions. He hinted that in such a scenario, Iran could have an "unbelievable future."
Hamas strongly opposed Trump's proposal for the US to take over Gaza. A spokesperson for the group, Sami Abu Zuhri, said that the idea was a "recipe for chaos and tension in the region."
He insisted that the people of Gaza would not allow such plans to succeed, stating that what was needed was an end to occupation and aggression, rather than the displacement of Palestinian citizens.
Trump's proposal has sparked significant reactions across the international community. While Netanyahu has welcomed the ideas put forth, the broader implications of such a move remain uncertain.
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