US refuses to ensure Palestinians can stay in Gaza under Trump's plan

The White House has refrained from assuring that any Palestinians wishing to remain in the besieged Gaza Strip would be allowed to do so following US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to assume control of Gaza after relocating its entire population.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt addressed a reporter's question about Trump's territorial plans, stating that she could not confirm whether Palestinians would be permitted to stay in the region, effectively denying the assertion.

“I can confirm that the President is committed to rebuilding Gaza and to temporarily relocating those who are there,” Leavitt said.

She added that the White House expects Jordan and Egypt to accept displaced Palestinians “temporarily.”

“It is a demolition site. There is no running water, there is no electricity. The President wants these individuals to live in peace. He is committed to doing that with this very bold new plan, and we will continue to keep you apprised of updates as we receive them,” she said, refusing to answer the reporter’s follow-up question.

Leavitt also emphasized that the US will not fund reconstruction efforts in Gaza, a shift from Trump's previous remarks hinting at a large-scale nation-building initiative.

On Tuesday during a joint press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump proposed that Washington take control of the Gaza Strip—potentially with American troops—to create a "Riviera of the Middle East". He had previously suggested that displaced Palestinians might be resettled elsewhere.

The remarks triggered widespread condemnation globally, with Washington's European allies and Muslim countries rejecting the idea of displacing Palestinians.

Trump's 'Gaza takeover' plan rejected by US allies; sparks global outrage

European allies of the US, as well as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China and Russia say they all commitment to a two-state solution.

Allow Palestinians to return to Jaffa, Haifa: Saudi prince

Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former head of the country's intelligence, addressed Trump in a letter published Thursday, emphasizing that "the Palestinian people are not illegal immigrants to be deported to other lands."

He highlighted that a significant portion of Gaza's population comprises refugees displaced during Israeli military actions in the 1948 and 1967 wars.

He insisted that if relocation from Gaza is deemed necessary, these individuals should be allowed to return to their original homes in Haifa, Jaffa, and other areas from which they were forcibly removed or expelled by Israeli forces.

His remarks came as Trump claimed that the Saudi-Israeli normalization agreement, part of the Abraham Accords, would soon be implemented.

However, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly countered Trump's assertion, reaffirming its unwavering support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital, insisting that Riyadh would not engage in any deal with Tel Aviv otherwise.

Trump's announcement followed the failure of the Israeli regime to achieve its goal of forcing Gaza’s entire population to flee to neighboring Jordan and Egypt, under a war of genocide for over 15 months, during which the regime killed way upwards of 62,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir