White House Indicates Palestinians May Not Be Permanently Resettled Amid Former Israeli PM’s Skepticism of Trump Plan | World News
The White House seems to be walking back Donald Trump’s claim that Palestinians should be permanently relocated from Gaza, as a former Israeli Prime Minister expressed skepticism about the idea during an interview with Sky News.
On Tuesday, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit, Mr. Trump stated: “If we can provide a beautiful location to resettle people, permanently, in nice homes where they can be happy and safe from violence, it would be ideal.”
His remarks drew significant criticism worldwide, particularly when he added: “The US will take ownership of the Gaza Strip and we will manage it well.”
In response to queries, Mr. Trump indicated he envisioned a “long-term ownership position” for Gaza, referring to its future as “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
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Trump: ‘We’ll own Gaza’
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However, on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared to contradict Mr. Trump’s statements, asserting that he had mentioned the relocation would be temporary.
“The president has made it clear that they need to be temporarily relocated from Gaza for the reconstruction efforts,” she told reporters.
She further emphasized, “Right now, it’s a demolition site. It’s not a livable environment for anyone. Suggesting people should live under such dire conditions is inherently wrong.”
Ms. Leavitt also noted that Mr. Trump “has not committed” to deploying troops to Gaza but did not dismiss the possibility.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Pic: AP
‘A significant retraction’
Sky News US correspondent Mark Stone attended the news conference featuring Ms. Leavitt.
He remarked: “What we gathered from her statements, if you read between the lines, indicates a significant retraction.
“She mentioned the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza during the rebuilding phase would be temporary and asserted that the president was ‘very clear’ on that matter.
“However, he wasn’t clear about it at all. His statements were consistent in asserting that relocations would be permanent, emphasizing many times the notion of moving people to ‘somewhere beautiful’ during his remarks the previous day.”
“Although she did not acknowledge a shift in the administration’s stance from one day to the next, the implications were evident in her comments.”
‘Skeptical’
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told Sky News he was “skeptical” regarding the feasibility of the proposed plan.
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Ex-Israel PM: Gaza plan ‘deeply doubtful’
He commented: “I cannot pass judgment; there are many in Israel who view it with enthusiasm, but I find it highly questionable whether this plan can actually be realized.
It seems this initiative may be used, either consciously or subconsciously, to motivate Arab leaders to consider how they can contribute to avert the need for American intervention. This perspective appears to explain the entirety of the proposition.”
Further Reading:
Trump’s Gaza strategy may indicate a larger agenda
Starmer challenges Trump on his Gaza vision
Trump’s Gaza resolution reveals his lack of historical knowledge
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It remains uncertain whether Mr. Trump was serious about his proposal or merely adopting an extreme viewpoint to use as leverage, a tactic he has employed on various occasions before.
While Mr. Trump’s comments have brought the political situation and future of Gaza to the forefront, the ongoing Israeli attacks have led to significant destruction in the region, claiming over 47,000 lives according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
This escalation followed the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023, wherein around 1,200 individuals lost their lives in southern Israel and approximately 250 were taken captive.
