White House Clarifies Trump’s Gaza ‘Takeover’ Comments
The White House clarifies that Trump's Gaza "takeover" plan does not mean US military presence, amid global backlash and diplomatic tensions.
White House Clarifies Trump’s Gaza ‘Takeover’ Remarks, Denies Plans for US Military Presence Amid Global Criticism
The White House has clarified that President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about “taking over” Gaza do not mean a military presence in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. This statement follows global backlash after Trump, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggested that the United States would assume control of Gaza, relocate its residents to neighboring Muslim countries, and transform the area into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
White House Explanation
In her address to reporters on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that deploying US troops had nothing to do with the President’s vision for reconstructing Gaza. “That does not mean boots on the ground in Gaza,” she stated.
Leavitt further said that the plan for relocation of Palestinians by Trump is just temporary and not permanent, where people are allowed to be resettled so that rebuilding work goes about. It would seem like the White House changed the original message from Trump by which it projected permanent resettlement for the people of Gaza. This appears to be an attempt to mollify the outcry against Trump’s offer by Hamas as well as other international voices.
Read more: Canadian Hockey Fans Protest U.S. Tariffs by Booing National Anthem
Meeting with Netanyahu by Trump
During his meeting with Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, Trump made his first comments. With regard to this issue, during his press conference, Trump told the officials that he wishes to take control of Gaza. “Develop it, and own it” is part of his long-term strategy, according to Trump. His remarks have raised large-scale concerns over the implications of US involvement in the future of governance in Gaza.
US-Panama Canal Agreement
In a separate development, the US Department of State announced that American government vessels would now be able to transit the Panama Canal without paying fees. The announcement came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Sunday.
The deal is expected to save the US government millions of dollars annually, after Trump previously accused Panama of charging too much in tolls for American ships. Trump had also made a highly contentious claim that if Panama refused to cooperate, the US might demand the return of the canal.
Read more: Panama Rejects China Pact Amid US Pressure and Canal Tensions
President Mulino has strongly stated that the idea of US revindication over the waterway is impossible. The Panama Canal was formerly the property of the United States and was officially taken over by Panama in 1999 after both countries agreed upon it in 1977.
Global Response
Trump’s statement on Gaza as well as Panama Canal has seen an outpour of reactions all over the globe. While the plan for Gaza is considered a fantasy and extremely unpopular, an agreement on Panama Canal is being touted as the diplomatic victory of the US which would save much money in its naval operations.
White House clarifies Trump statements amid unfolding of events and handling of both the home and the world’s responses to his controversial statements.
We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join.
Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.
