On Wednesday, February 5th, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Trump did not commit to sending US troops into Gaza, contradicting the possibility he hinted at during a press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister on Tuesday.
During the Q&A session, when asked if US troops would be sent to ensure the safety of Gaza, the President responded, “We will take necessary measures,” but did not provide further details.
Trump’s response sparked significant media attention. At the White House daily press briefing on Wednesday, many questions were related to Gaza, and the White House categorically denied any association of the US getting involved in another Middle East conflict.
“The President did not commit to sending ground troops to Gaza. He also stated that the US will not foot the bill for Gaza’s reconstruction. The Trump administration will work with partners in the region to rebuild the area,” Leavitt told the media at the White House.
She emphasized, “The President did not commit to deploying US troops in that region.”
On Tuesday, Trump orally announced a Gaza plan supporting the resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza and suggested the US might take over Gaza, hinting that Gaza might become the “Rwanda of the Middle East.”
This move signifies a departure from decades of US Middle East policy.
When asked if he believed only Palestinians should reside in Gaza, Trump did not give a clear stance but expressed his hope for the region to become a homeland for “people from all over the world.”
Trump also suggested relocating Gaza Palestinians to other locations and proposed one or several different sites as potential resettlement areas.
He likened potential US takeover of Gaza to a “long-term ownership.”
However, there are doubts about the feasibility of this plan. Most parts of Gaza have been reduced to rubble during the past 15 months of conflict. Trump administration officials estimate that rebuilding Gaza might take 10-15 years.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump’s idea is to have Palestinians temporarily leave Gaza for reconstruction and debris clearance.
Leavitt on Wednesday refuted Trump’s statement about Palestinians needing to permanently settle in neighboring countries, stating that the suggestion is for them to “temporarily relocate” for reconstruction.
She mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was aware of the plan before Trump’s announcement on Tuesday. Netanyahu, who is currently visiting the US, did not comment on the issue on Wednesday.
Jordan’s King Abdullah on Wednesday stated his rejection of any land annexations and expulsion of Palestinians. Egypt expressed its support for Gaza’s recovery plan but emphasized that Palestinians do not need to leave the region. Saudi Arabia also rejected the proposal.
Since the Gaza conflict, Middle Eastern countries have refused entry to Palestinian refugees.
Internationally, Russia, China, and Germany have opposed Trump’s Gaza plan.
They indicated their continued support for the US solution in Gaza over the past few decades, which sees Gaza as part of future Palestine, including the Jordan River’s West Bank occupied by Israel.
Reuters reported it is unclear whether Trump will continue to push his proposal or if it is merely an extreme stance for negotiation strategy, similar to his “art of the deal” approach in handling other issues.