During their meeting this afternoon at the Oval Office, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu once again expressed strong support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed initiative to relocate Gazans during the rebuilding phase of the territory.
Netanyahu emphasized that civilians in Gaza were being “locked” inside the war-torn enclave and prevented from leaving, even as violence continued to rage. “We didn’t lock them in,” he said.
“We are not holding them in,” he reiterated, stressing that Israel was not the party restricting the movement of Gazan civilians.
He drew comparisons to other war-torn regions, such as Ukraine and Syria, where populations were able to escape the fighting and seek refuge elsewhere.
Netanyahu mentioned that constructive conversations were underway with various countries interested in accepting Gazans, although he chose not to disclose which nations were involved in the discussions.
Trump, for his part, highlighted the importance of making Gaza a secure area for its residents. “It’s so important that Gaza is a ‘safe field’ for Palestinian residents,” he said.
He added that his plan for Gaza had gained widespread approval. “People like the vision he set out in his Gaza plan,” Trump remarked, though he noted, “there are other concepts too.”
Reflecting on Israel’s 2005 disengagement from Gaza, Trump criticized the decision. “Gaza should never have been given away by Israel, I don’t know why they did it,” he said.
“I do know, because they were promised peace, but that did not work out,” he continued. “Gaza is a dangerous death trap.”
{Matzav.com}