“Civilisation has been wiped out in Gaza:” Trump insists on transfer of Palestinians

US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his controversial plan to take control of Gaza, reiterating his commitment to bring the territory ‘under US authority’ and emphasising that Palestinians will leave the enclave.

Speaking to reporters alongside the King of Jordan on Tuesday, Trump responded to a journalist’s question about whether he would back out of his plan to ‘buy Gaza.’

In response, Trump stated, “We don’t have to buy it. We are going to have Gaza. There is nothing to buy; we will have Gaza.”

He further added, “It’s a war-torn area. We are going to take it, we are going to hold it, we are going to cherish it.”

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Trump claimed that his reconstruction plan would create employment opportunities in the Middle East, asserting that the US would bring peace to the region.

“I have watched it for so long, all the death and destruction in Gaza. Civilisation has been wiped out in Gaza,” he said, maintaining that the enclave’s seafront location makes it ideal for a “great economic development plan.”

He added that workers from the Middle East would be involved in Gaza’s reconstruction.

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In a separate media address, Trump insisted that Palestinians “will leave” if offered a “better alternative,” describing Gaza as a “hellhole.”

He also repeated his warning to Hamas, demanding the release of hostages by Saturday, or he threatened to end the ceasefire agreement.