On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Donald Trump‘s controversial proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza, asserting that there was nothing inappropriate about the idea despite the international backlash it received.
Rights organizations have denounced Trump’s recent suggestion that Palestinians in the enclave should face permanent displacement, labeling it as ethnic cleansing. This statement was made alongside his proposal for a U.S. takeover of Gaza.
During a recent interview with Fox News, Netanyahu refrained from directly addressing Trump’s proposal regarding U.S. control of the Gaza Strip. However, he expressed support for permitting Gazans who wish to depart to do so.
He remarked, “I mean, what’s wrong with that?” Individuals have the option to depart, return, or even relocate before coming back. However, the necessity to reconstruct Gaza remains paramount.
Netanyahu expressed skepticism regarding Trump’s suggestion of deploying U.S. troops to combat Hamas in Gaza, as well as the notion that Washington would provide funding for reconstruction efforts.
“This is the first commendable idea I’ve encountered,” he remarked. “This concept is noteworthy and merits serious consideration and action, as it has the potential to shape a transformative future for all.”
Since January 25, former President Trump has consistently proposed that regional Arab nations, including Egypt and Jordan, should accept Palestinians from Gaza. The Arab states and Palestinian leaders have rejected this suggestion.
In the wake of the international backlash, aides to Trump have come forward to defend his proposal, yet they have distanced themselves from certain aspects.
The United States’ ally, The Gaza Health Ministry, reports that Israel’s military operations, which are currently on hold due to a tenuous ceasefire, have resulted in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians in the past 16 months. These actions have sparked allegations of genocide and war crimes, claims that Israel firmly rejects.
The recent assault has led to the internal displacement of nearly the entire population of Gaza, exacerbating an already dire hunger crisis.
The recent escalation of violence in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants from Palestine launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
