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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touted President Trump’s proposed US takeover of Gaza — and the subsequent relocation of the 2 million Palestinians who live there — as the “first good idea” he’s heard regarding the war-torn region Wednesday.
“The actual idea of allowing first Gazans who want to leave to leave. I mean, what’s wrong with that?” Netanyahu, 75, told Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
“They can leave, and 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 and examined, pursued and done. I think it will create a different future for everyone.”
Trump proposed a US takeover of the Gaza Strip Tuesday night — shortly after suggesting moving “all” Palestinians living there to other countries.
Trump added that the roughly 2 million Gazans would be relocated to neighboring countries in a transitional phase — and indicated that they would not be granted the right of return afterward.
The 47th president said he would deploy US troops to the territory “if it’s necessary” and that he imagined “the world’s people” occupying an “international unbelievable place” that would be regarded as “the Riviera of the Middle East,” with some Palestinians permitted to resettle there.
Netanyahu, who was with Trump when he made the remarks, praised the concept Tuesday, saying: “I think it’s something that could change history, and it’s worthwhile really pursuing this avenue.”
Egyptian and Jordanian leaders have already rejected Trump’s request that they take in Gazans — with others worried it could threaten the fragile cease-fire and hostage release agreement between the Jewish state and Palestinian terror group Hamas.
The deal has seen 18 captives released by the terror group since it went into effect on Jan. 19.Asked whether he was optimistic about cease-fire talks entering the second phase in Gaza — including the hostage deal — Netanyahu told reporters, “We’re going to try.”
The six-week cease-fire and hostages deal took effect a day before Trump was inaugurated, and an Israeli delegation is expected to head to Doha, Qatar, this week to move the deal forward.Hamas remains in control of portions of the Gaza Strip despite being greatly diminished in power over the course of the 16-month war.
Trump said the US would become “somewhat more violent” if Hamas reneged on its agreement to release all hostages it seized during the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack that sparked the conflict.
During his roughly five-minute interview with Hannity, Netanyahu repeatedly stressed that Iran shouldn’t be allowed to have nuclear weapons — a statement Trump echoed on Tuesday after declaring the country would be “obliterated” if it assassinates him.
The Justice Department confirmed in November that an Iranian plot to kill Trump was thwarted before the presidential election.
“There’s no question Iran is gearing up to get the nuclear weapons. They probably would have been there 10 years ago already if we hadn’t taken various actions to hold them up,” the Israeli leader said.
“We held them up, we slowed them down, but we haven’t stopped them completely. So yes, they’re seeking to do that. And, of course, we discussed this, and the president said something very simple, which I said as well: Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. It’s that simple.”
The commander in chief, 78, signed an executive order calling for the US government to impose maximum pressure on Tehran – a decision Trump said would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, suggesting that the country is “too close” to developing weapons-grade uranium.
