Saudi Arabia, Australia & Hamas React To Trump’s Gaza ‘Take Over’ Plan

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump’s proposal to take “ownership” of battle-leveled Gaza has led to widespread criticism.

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late on Tuesday, Trump announced his intention to take over the Gaza Strip, move nearly 2 million Palestinians to new homes elsewhere and redevelop the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

“We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” he said, adding that the US would “level” destroyed buildings and “create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”

“You build really good quality housing, like a beautiful town, like some place where they can live and not die, because Gaza is a guarantee that they’re going to end up dying,” CNN reported, quoting the US President.

Earlier he had called for Jordan, Egypt and other Arab states to take in Palestinians, which was rejected by the Arab nations while emphasizing on the importance of a two-state solution for peace.

Trump did not rule out sending US troops to secure Gaza. “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that,” he said

He, however, gave a vague answer when asked a question on whether he supported a two-state solution.  “It doesn’t mean anything about a two-state or one state or any other state. It means that we want to have, we want to give people a chance at life,” he said.

The US president also hinted at announcing a position on Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank next month. “We haven’t been taking the position on it yet,” he said while mentioning about his likely visit the Gaza Strip, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu expressed his support to Trump’s “long-term ownership position” in Gaza, adding that it is something that could “change history”.

Reacting to the suggestion, the Saudi government, in a statement, asserted that it would not establish relations with Israel without establishment of a Palestinian state.

Australian also extended its support to the two-state solution in the Middle East. “Australia’s position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year. The Australian government supports on a bipartisan basis, a two-state solution,” said Australia’s PM Albanese in a press briefing at Parliament House on Wednesday.

The Gaza based Hamas militant group condemned Trump’s calls for Palestinians in Gaza to leave as “expulsion from their land”. “We consider it a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region. Our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass,” said the group in a statement, as quoted by AFP.

The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, on the other hand, said that world leaders and people should respect Palestinians’ desire to remain in Gaza, the Guardian report.

It further stated that several Democrats have slammed Trump’s plan while saying that “He had totally lost it”.