During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump suggested that Palestinians could be "permanently" resettled from Gaza. This statement followed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump suggested that the United States could assume control over the Gaza Strip during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s visit marked the first foreign leader's visit to the White House since Trump’s return to office.

During the press conference, Trump indicated that the US would take "ownership" of Gaza, emphasizing that Washington would handle responsibilities such as dismantling dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons in the area. He described the US role as "long-term ownership," pledging to "develop" Gaza with support from Saudi Arabia.

Trump also discussed US policies on Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, mentioning that Washington had not yet taken a position but would likely announce one in the coming month. Additionally, Trump expressed a desire to negotiate a deal with Iran but reiterated that the US would not allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu praised Trump as the "greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House" and expressed confidence in a future peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, stating that such an agreement was not only feasible but likely to happen.

Regarding Gaza, Trump proposed the possibility of relocating Palestinians from the area to another location, suggesting that the new location could be permanent and improve their living conditions. He criticized the current state of Gaza, calling it a "demolition site" and a place unfit for living. Trump previously proposed resettling displaced Palestinians in countries like Egypt and Jordan, but both have rejected the idea.

Following the press conference, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its stance, stating that it would not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless a Palestinian state is formed with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Saudi foreign ministry described this position as "unwavering" and "non-negotiable," reiterating that Riyadh rejects efforts to displace Palestinians from their land.

The statement came after Netanyahu expressed optimism about the possibility of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, the leaders also discussed the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu's office announced that Israel would send a delegation to Doha, Qatar, for further negotiations later in the week. These negotiations aim to finalize the details of the ceasefire agreement, with the second phase involving the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and further steps to resolve the conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and nearly 250 abductions.