With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his side, President Donald Trump unveiled an ambitious plan for securing and redeveloping the Gaza Strip and placing it under control of an international transitional government overseen by a board led by Trump himself, as well as former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has been part of talks between Palestinians and Israelis for decades.
The plan, which would remake one of the world’s most fraught territories and bring it under Trump’s control, was light on details and had not yet been accepted by the leaders of Hamas—a major hurdle. “We are at a minimum very very close and I think we are beyond very close,” he said.
If Hamas does not sign on to the plan—which would require the group disarm and play no public role in Gaza —Trump suggested Israel has his support to continue its military campaign in Gaza until Hamas was eliminated. “If Hamas rejects the deal,” Trump said, “Bibi, you’d have our full backing to do what you need to do.”
Netanyahu said he supported Trump’s plan for ending the war in Gaza. “If this international body succeeds we will have permanently ended the war,” Netanyahu says.
But if Hamas doesn’t agree to the deal or undermines it, “Israel will finish the job by itself,” Netanyahu said. “This could be done the easy way or it could be done the hard way. But it will be done.”
Trump and Netanyahu addressed reporters in the White House State Dining room but did not take any questions, after meeting at length in the Oval Office. Trump spoke grandly for over 20 minutes about his efforts to resolve decades of bloody conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. He described the moment as “potentially one of the great days ever in civilization.”
“Let’s call it eternal peace in the Middle East,” he added.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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