President Donald Trump said Friday there have been "no deliberations" about his claims that the United States will seek to take over Gaza, but insisted that the region "will be given to us by Israel."
"It's been perceived [that] the United States would view it as a real estate transaction, where we will be an investor in that part of the world," Trump told reporters at the White House Friday, while speaking alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reports The New York Times.
He added that there is "no rush to do anything" and that the U.S. "wouldn't need anybody there" because of the Israeli presence.
"We are not talking about boots on the ground or anything like that, but the fact that we are there, that we have an investment there, [is] a long way to creating peace," Trump said.
Earlier this week, Trump created a stir when he appeared with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to outline a plan to permanently remove all displaced Palestinians from Gaza, with the United States to take control of the war-torn region when fighting concludes.
Friday, referring to the removal of the Palestinians, Trump said that the U.S. doesn't want to see "everybody move back and then move out in 10 years."
"This has been going on for 50 years, much more than that," Trump said. "We just want to see stability … that particular piece in that particular location, I think, would show great stability and will lead to great stability of the area for very little money, very little price."
He added that the matter of soldiers "will be taken care of by others" as well as investments, leaving the United States to make "virtually no investment whatsoever."
"It would bring stability to the area, and others can invest in it later on, but we are in no rush on it, absolutely no rush," the president said.
Friday's comments doubled down on statements Trump made Thursday when he claimed that Israel will turn over Gaza to the United States "at the conclusion of fighting" with Hamas.
Trump's call for control of Gaza has been opposed by Arab leaders as well as some members of the Republican Party.
On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump has not committed to sending U.S. troops into Gaza, although he has said that "we will do what is necessary."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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