US President Donald Trump mentioned he does not consider Palestinians ought to return to Gaza as a result of it’s a “guarantee that they’re going to end up dying” – as he held a White Home assembly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Talking after welcoming Mr Netanyahu to the Oval Workplace, President Trump doubled down on his suggestion that Gazans ought to be relocated elsewhere.
Mr Trump, who has taken credit score for serving to dealer a tenuous ceasefire deal in Gaza, mentioned a “beautiful area” may very well be constructed for Gazans to resettle in after 15 months of relentless Israeli bombing lowered a lot of the besieged enclave to rubble.
The 78-year-old president mentioned he believed all Gazans ought to transfer, saying: “They would be resettled where they can live a beautiful life.”
Picture:
Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu within the Oval Workplace. Pic: Reuters
The conflict in Gaza, triggered by its militant group Hamas finishing up a bloodbath of 1,200 individuals and taking some 250 hostage in the course of the 7 October 2023 assaults on Israel, has quickly stopped because the long-sought ceasefire deal got here into impact on 19 January.
Greater than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Hamas’s assault, in keeping with native authorities.
Requested throughout a press briefing if Palestinians would have the best to return to Gaza in the event that they left whereas it was being rebuilt, Mr Trump mentioned: “Why would they want to return? The place has been hell. It’s been one of the meanest, toughest places on earth.”
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Gazans return dwelling to rubble
Mr Netanyahu, the primary world chief to fulfill Mr Trump because the pro-Israel president’s return to the White Home after he was sworn in on 20 January, sat beside the Republican as he answered questions from the press.
Mr Trump reiterated his earlier suggestion on 25 January that Palestinians from Gaza may very well be relocated to Egypt and Jordan – one thing each international locations, different Arab nations and Palestinian leaders have rejected.
He went on to say Palestinians in Gaza may go to different international locations past Jordan and Egypt as effectively.
Requested whether or not he thought Jordan and Egypt would take Palestinians in, Mr Trump mentioned he believed they are going to.
On the chance of getting a everlasting ceasefire in Gaza, Mr Trump mentioned: “We are dealing with a lot of people, and we have steps to go yet, as you know, and maybe those steps go forward, and maybe they don’t.
“We’re coping with a really complicated group of individuals, scenario and other people, however now we have the best man. We have now the best chief of Israel. He is carried out a terrific job.”
Mr Trump was also asked whether he should get the Nobel Peace Prize.
He said: “They may by no means give me a Nobel Peace Prize. It is too dangerous. I deserve it, however they are going to by no means give it to me.”
