In a surprising declaration, President Trump suggested the US should 'own' Gaza, shocking senior officials and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, illustrating a lack of prior discussion or planning.
Trump Proposes US Ownership of Gaza in Shock Announcement
Trump Proposes US Ownership of Gaza in Shock Announcement
President Trump's unexpected plan stuns aides and Israeli officials alike, lacking basic planning or feasibility discussions.
On February 5, 2025, during a news conference at the White House, President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial proposal for the United States to take control of Gaza, startling both his administration's officials and the Israeli leadership. Despite the seemingly formal presentation of the idea—reading from a prepared statement—senior members of the White House felt blindsided by this announcement, which lacked essential groundwork.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that there had been no prior discussions among key government bodies, including the State Department or the Pentagon, regarding this major foreign policy shift. Typically, such an initiative would prompt extensive meetings and planning sessions, but instead there were none. No analysis had been conducted on potential troop requirements, financial implications, or logistical frameworks.
Adding to the shock, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was taken aback when Trump revealed his intentions just before their joint press conference. This announcement was not only unprecedented in its scale but also came without the usual diplomatic discourse associated with significant foreign policy decisions.
Internally, while Trump had privately discussed the idea of U.S. ownership of Gaza for several weeks, including following a visit from Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, whose reports emphasized the dire conditions in Gaza, the official presentation appeared to emerge without the necessary strategic planning. This lack of preparation raises questions about the viability and consequences of such a significant foreign policy proposal.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that there had been no prior discussions among key government bodies, including the State Department or the Pentagon, regarding this major foreign policy shift. Typically, such an initiative would prompt extensive meetings and planning sessions, but instead there were none. No analysis had been conducted on potential troop requirements, financial implications, or logistical frameworks.
Adding to the shock, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was taken aback when Trump revealed his intentions just before their joint press conference. This announcement was not only unprecedented in its scale but also came without the usual diplomatic discourse associated with significant foreign policy decisions.
Internally, while Trump had privately discussed the idea of U.S. ownership of Gaza for several weeks, including following a visit from Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, whose reports emphasized the dire conditions in Gaza, the official presentation appeared to emerge without the necessary strategic planning. This lack of preparation raises questions about the viability and consequences of such a significant foreign policy proposal.
