Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on December 9, 2024. (Maya Alleruzzo/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. would "take over" the Gaza Strip in a "long-term ownership position" to deliver stability to the region.
"The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too," Trump said Tuesday evening in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexplored bombs and other weapons on the site."
"Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area," he said. "Do a real job. Do something different. Just can't go back. If you go back, it's going to end up the same way it has for 100 years."
Trump said that "all" Palestinians would be removed from Gaza under his plan.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER LAUDS TRUMP'S LEADERSHIP WHEN ASKED IF BIDEN SHOULD TAKE CREDIT FOR CEASEFIRE
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on July 31, 2024 in Washington, DC.. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Some Republicans also voiced caution, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Jewish Insider that the proposal "might be problematic," but that he would "keep an open mind."
"We’ll see what our Arab friends say about that. I think most South Carolinians would not be excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza," Graham said.
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Meanwhile, Sen. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., didn’t appear phased by the remarks.
"I think he wants to bring a more peaceful, secure Middle East and put some ideas out there," Thune told reporters Wednesday.
Fox News’ Emma Colton and Greg Norman contributed to this report.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-trump-not-committing-putting-us-troops-gaza