Netanyahu praises Trump plan for US takeover of Gaza Strip, affirms continued support for Israel’s war goals

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip and allow Gaza residents to leave voluntarily, calling it “the first good idea that I've heard.” 

In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Netanyahu expressed support for Trump’s proposal, while attempting to clarify some media misrepresentations of the idea. 

“The actual idea of allowing first Gazans who want to leave to leave – I mean, what's wrong with that?” Netanyahu asked. 

The prime minister also countered reports that Trump was calling for the forced displacement of Gaza residents. 

“They can leave, they can then come back, they can relocate and come back, but you have to rebuild Gaza. If you want to rebuild Gaza, you can't have – this is the first good idea that I've heard. It's a remarkable idea. And I think it should be really pursued, examined, pursued, and done because I think it will create a different future for everyone.” 

Trump shocked the world on Tuesday during a press conference with Netanyahu, when he announced that the United States would “take over Gaza,” relocating the Palestinians there to other countries, and “be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous bombs and other weapons on the site.” 

Even during the Q&A after the press briefing, Netanyahu extolled Trump’s plan, saying, “he sees a different future for that piece of land that has been the focus of so much terrorism, so much – so many attacks against us. So, many trials and so many tribulations. He has a different idea, and I think it's worth paying attention to this.” 

Asked if his plan marked the end of a two-state solution, Trump indicated that the focus was on removing Hamas from Gaza. 

“We want to give people a chance at life. They have never had a chance at life because the Gaza Strip has been a hellhole for people living there. It's been horrible. Hamas has made it so bad, so bad, so dangerous, so unfair to people.” 

Netanyahu repeated that idea when asked about a possible future war with Hamas. 

“I think everybody understands that, just as the president fought and defeated al-Qaida and ISIS, that we can't leave Hamas there because Hamas will continue the battle to destroy Israel,” Netanyahu stated. “If you want a different future you've got to knock out the people who want to destroy you and destroy peace. That's what we're going to do.” 

In his interview with Hannity, Netanyahu also said that Israel remains committed to its war goals: destroying Hamas’ military and governing abilities, releasing all the hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel anymore. 

“And we’re committed to achieving all three,” Netanyahu stated. He said that Israel has freed about 70% of the living hostages in the second release, stating, “And we're committed to getting everyone out, both the living hostages and unfortunately also the dead hostages, which Hamas also keeps.” 

“We intend to commit to do that [release all the hostages],” Netanyahu continued. “I won't talk here how we intend to do it, but it's something that is in my mind. It's also on the president's mind.”