Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the U.S. to meet with President Donald Trump. He is the first foreign head of state to visit Trump in his second administration. The two met and had several conversations — first, a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, then an expanded bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room, and finally, a formal press conference in the East Room.
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Both leaders addressed the press while sitting before the fireplace in the Oval Office earlier in the afternoon, and the formal press conference covered much of the same territory. The crux of their comments was about plans for Gaza — one that’s sure to have some heads spinning: The U.S. will take ownership of the Gaza Strip.
Donald Trump: “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip…We’ll own it!” pic.twitter.com/wrH56SfbEf
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 5, 2025
Trump began the press conference by welcoming Netanyahu and thanking him for the visit. He emphasized the enduring bond of friendship between the United States and Israel — while noting, pointedly, that it has been quite strained over the past four years.
Trump gave an overview of the achievements of his first term in relation to Israel and the Middle East, including defeating ISIS, withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Deal, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, opening the U.S. Embassy there, recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and reaching the Abraham Accords.
Trump expressed the desire to see the conflict in the Middle East resolved and, as to Gaza specifically, said he does not believe it should go through the process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people who have lived a miserable existence there.
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Trump: “The Gaza Strip…should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people.” pic.twitter.com/2jyMDnDoUL
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 5, 2025
“Instead, we should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts — and there are many of them that want to do this — and build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza, ending the death and destruction, and frankly, bad luck.”
Trump elaborated on the idea of U.S. ownership and development of Gaza, noting that the U.S. will be responsible for dismantling bombs, leveling buildings, and creating economic development to supply jobs and housing for the people of the area. In short, he described his vision for Gaza to become “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
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Trump added that he is hopeful the ceasefire will hold and result in enduring peace. He also pointed out that the U.S. ended the de facto arms embargo on over $1 billion of arms assistance for Israel and has now withdrawn from the United Nations Human Rights Commission and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East while restoring a maximum pressure campaign on the Iranian regime via sanctions. Lastly, he noted his recent executive order designed to combat antisemitism.
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Trump ended his remarks by expressing his desire to restore calm and stability to the region and expand prosperity and hope — for all nations in the Middle East. “We want the Arab and Muslim nations to have peace, tranquility, and great lives.”
Netanyahu then spoke, echoing Trump’s recounting of the accomplishments in regard to Israel and the Middle East in his first term and affirming that Trump is the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.
Netanyahu to Trump: “You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House!” pic.twitter.com/YTyWVc9a61
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 5, 2025
Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s goals as to Hamas:
- Destroy Hamas’s military and governing capabilities
- Secure the release of the hostages
- Ensure Gaza never poses a threat to Israel
He praised Trump for being able to think outside the box, noting that he sees things others refuse to see and says things others refuse to say — the kind of thinking he believes will help reshape the Middle East and bring peace.
The two took several questions from the press, several of whom expressed skepticism as to whether/how the U.S. would be able to take possession of Gaza. Trump, without giving specifics on it, expressed optimism that it will happen — that those in the “highest level of leadership” have praised the notion.
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As to the willingness of other nations to take in Palestinians, Trump said, “I have a feeling that despite them saying no, the King in Jordan and the General in Egypt will open their hearts, and we can get this done.”
It’s certainly a bold strategy. We’ll have to see how it plays out.
