Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood at a podium to his right and smirked as President Trump shocked the world. Are we now seeing why he was so giddy about the announcement?

Arab countries have scoffed at the notion of helping the people of Gaza for years. They’ve made demands of Israel but have not wanted to lift a finger, spend a penny, or do anything themselves to help Palestinians. Now, it seems that they’re ready to take action.

According to Algemeiner:

Arab countries will unveil their plan for the reconstruction of Gaza on February 27 in Cairo. This initiative, developed by the Palestinians and handed over to the Egyptians for implementation, will be presented to the leaders of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The plan provides for reconstruction over three to five years, without the displacement of the Palestinian population and without Hamas control. The funding, estimated at several hundred million dollars, will come from Gulf countries. The work will be carried out by Egyptian companies, representing a significant source of income for Egypt, which is strongly opposed to any migration of Palestinians out of Gaza. The workforce will consist mainly of local Palestinians.

“The goal is to marginalize Hamas so that it understands that it has lost control of Gaza, and to completely eliminate the terrorist organization’s grip on the population and the territory within 5 years from the start of reconstruction,” a source involved in the plan said.

An independent “Palestinian administration,” separate from the Palestinian Authority but relying on it, will oversee the reconstruction. This power structure is designed to get the approval of Israel and the United States, who refuse direct management by the Palestinian Authority.

It’s important to note that part of President Trump’s plan was to move the people currently living in Gaza to Egypt and Jordan. That really got their attention. Now, they’re suddenly willing to not only help out but to lead the rebuilding efforts while eliminating Hamas.

This is the Art of the Deal.

The comment was made in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the two held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. For his part, the prime minister seemed amenable to Trump’s out-of-the-box thinking.

“We’re talking about it,” Netanyahu said when asked if he liked the idea.

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too,” Trump indicated.

“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexplored bombs and other weapons on the site.”

https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1886931145905868878

“We’ll create an economic development..and thousands upon thousands of jobs.”

The president further justified the idea of redevelopment by talking about the conditions of the Strip.

“Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area,” he said.

“Do a real job. Do something different. Just can’t go back. If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years.”

“I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East,” Trump said. “And everybody I’ve spoken to – this was not a decision made lightly – everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.

“Developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent in a really magnificent area that nobody would know. Nobody can look because all they see is death and destruction and rubble.”

“It’s right now a demolition site,” he claimed.

This statement echoed comments Mr. Trump earlier made during a gaggle with press in the Oval Office. At that time, he suggested all Gaza residents should relocate after the war.

Netanyahu’s state visit is the first visit by a foreign head of state in President Trump’s second term. It was clearly meant to signal strong ongoing support for Israel by the United States.

He showed his gratitude by telling Trump, “You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

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