Quotes
There was nothing he said that affects the continuity of the cease-fire and stage two of the hostage deal, ... even if you take Trump at his word and and you think of [the
said Pinkas, noting
When you look at the reality sitcom that took place in the White House on Tuesday, was there any mention of Saudi normalization that you recalled? There wasn't, ... Was there any allusion to an attack on Iran? There wasn't. Was there any reference to Trump understanding that the Israelis need to completely annihilate Hamas after 16 months of not doing so? There wasn't."
said Pinkas.jpg)
The president has not committed to boots on the ground in Gaza ... the United States is not going to pay for the rebuilding of Gaza. This is an out-of-the-box idea ... his goal is lasting peace in the Middle East for all people in the region."
Leavitt said Wednesday in response to a question about Trump's remarks
President Trump is taking it to a much higher level,
Netanyahu said
I strongly believe that the Gaza Strip, which has been a symbol of death and destruction…for so many decades—devastating for the people living there and for those anywhere near it—should not go through another cycle of rebuilding and occupation by the same people who have fought, lived, died and suffered in that place,
the president saidAs far as Gaza is concerned, we'll do what is necessary, if it's necessary we'll do that. We're going to take over that piece and develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it'll be something that the entire Middle East can be proud of."
Trump did not rule out deploying U.S. troops to the region, statingThey'll certainly be a part of it. I don't know what the role is. But they're obviously a part of it,
When asked whether he supported U.S. involvement in Israel, including the possibility of American troops on the ground, Fetterman responded.jpg)
Hamas terrorists murdered babies and burned people alive. They are evil monsters. Thank God we finally have a president who is committed to standing with Israel and working with Netanyahu on how to support their efforts to get terrorists out of Gaza and bring every hostage home."
Florida Senator Rick Scott wrotePresident Trump is bringing peace to the Middle East, just as he promised. PROMISES KEPT."
Congressman Brandon Gill, a Texas Republican, added on XThe U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and all of the other weapons on the site."
Speaking to reporters after a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump declaredHow we best achieve that I think is still—it's a subject of conversation, sounds like he's got an idea on that,
he addedObviously it's not going to happen. I don't know under what circumstance it would make sense even, even for Israel. Now, if Israel is asking for the United States to come in and provide some assistance to ensure that Hamas can never do again what they did, I'm in. But us taking over seems like a bit of a stretch."
Asked to elaborate, he said
I think that would be an interesting proposal. We'll see what our Arab friends say about that. I think most South Carolinians would probably not be excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza. It might be problematic,
Graham saidWe'll do what is necessary,
he said when asked about deploying U.S. troops to fill a potential security vacuumI did not have this on my bingo card. ... I got so many questions."
One GOP senator, granted anonymity to give his candid reaction to Trump's comments, told Politico
I envision world people living there – the world’s people. I think you’ll make that into an international unbelievable place. I think the potential in the Gaza Strip is unbelievable and I think the entire world – representatives from all over the world will be there.”
Asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins who will live in this new Trumpy utopia, he said
You cut to the chase. You see things others refuse to see. You say things others refuse to say. And after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and they say, ‘You know, he’s right’.”
Netanyahu also offered this homage to Trump that will resonate with his ardent fans
He’s totally lost it.”
That group does not include Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator who responded to Trump’s proposal on social media by observingTrump has this golden opportunity to show the world who the boss is, and that he’s ushering in a new era,
Abuirshaid told reporters
But it doesn’t mean that he’s just an enemy of us and the people,
Awad said