Trump 'determined' to implement 'revolutionary' Gaza takeover plan: Israeli PM
Trump's plan "opens up many possibilities for us," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
- JERUSALEM — Israel is discussing US President Donald Trump's
"revolutionary, creative vision" on the Gaza Strip, the one that
Trump is "very determined to implement," Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu said.
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- Trump's plan "opens up many possibilities for us,"
Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting after his return from Washington to Israel,
according to a statement released by Netanyahu's office.
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- "For an entire year, we have been told that the 'day
after' (in Gaza) must involve the PLO (the Palestine Liberation Organization),
the Palestinian Authority ... President Trump has presented a completely
different vision, one that is much better for the State of Israel,"
Netanyahu said.
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- According to the statement, Netanyahu and Trump have agreed
on achieving all of Israel's war objectives, including "eliminating"
Hamas, releasing all Israeli hostages, ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat
to Israel, and returning displaced Israeli residents, Xinhua news agency
reported.
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- Another war objective of Israel is to prevent Iran from
obtaining nuclear weapons, Netanyahu added.
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- During a joint press conference in Washington with Netanyahu
on Tuesday, Trump said the US plans to "take control of the Gaza
Strip," move Palestinians to neighbouring countries, and redevelop the
coastal enclave.
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- On Thursday, Netanyahu suggested during an interview with
Israel's Channel 14 that "Saudis can establish a Palestinian state in
Saudi Arabia; they have plenty of land there."
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- Both Trump's and Netanyahu's remarks have sparked regional
and international outcry, with many countries voicing their rejection of
displacing Palestinians from their homeland and their support for the two-state
solution.
