US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he is committed to "buying and owning Gaza," but could give sections of the land to other states in the Middle East to help in the rebuilding effort.
Trump made his comments to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
"We're committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn't move back, there's nothing to move back into," he said.
Trump added that the "place is a demolition site."
“We will make Gaza into a good site for future development; we will take care of the Palestinians and make sure they are not murdered,” he added.
Additionally, he said that while he believed Middle Eastern nations would be willing to take Palestinians after he meets with them. Trump said he would be looking at individual cases of allowing Palestinian refugees into the US.
Trump has several talks lined up with Middle Eastern leaders, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.Donald Trump on Air Force One:“I'm committed to buying and owning Gaza...We'll make it into a very good site for future development."This is INSANE pic.twitter.com/mqemY3cM7j
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) February 10, 2025
Hamas responds to Trump
Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, condemned President Trump's remarks in a public statement.
Palestinians will foil all displacement plans, Rashq added shortly after Trump's comments.