By Katie Nelson

On Feb. 4, President Trump proposed that the US take the ravaged Gaza Strip alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, igniting debate over the interference of this plan with the second phase of the current cease-fire between Hamas and Israeli forces. In his first meeting with an international leader since he took office, Trump proclaimed that the US will “take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” adding that he envisions Gaza becoming the “Riviera of the Middle East.” In a later White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt diluted Trump’s assertion about permanent removal of the Palestinian population, clarifying that they will be “temporarily relocated” while reconstruction and clearing debris ensue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump for this solution, stating, “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.” Whether this plan will actually be further considered between nations or if it serves as a negotiation tactic for Trump remains uncertain.

(Sources: AP, NPR, New York Times Reuters)