Key Insights:

• Trump proposes permanent resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza, suggesting the U.S. could take ownership of the region.
• Discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu focus on the fragile ceasefire with Hamas and potential normalization with Saudi Arabia.
• Netanyahu is under pressure from right-wing coalition members to end the ceasefire and resume military actions against Hamas.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened at the White House to address the evolving situation in Gaza amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Trump, voicing his view on the conflict-ridden territory, proposed the "permanent" resettlement of Palestinians, characterizing Gaza as a "demolition site" that requires substantial redevelopment. Trump stated, "The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too," aiming to transform the region into what he called "the Riviera of the Middle East." He indicated that if necessary, U.S. troops could be deployed to ensure stability and handle redevelopment efforts. "If it’s necessary, we’ll do that," Trump said, highlighting a potential shift in U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern affairs.

During the talks, Trump reiterated the concept of relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries, insisting that they "have no alternative" but to leave Gaza. This stance faces significant pushback, especially from Egypt and Jordan, who have rejected the idea of resettlement, expressing concerns that such initiatives could destabilize the region. Saudi Arabia also stated that their recognition of Israel hinges on resolving the Palestinian statehood issue.

The current talks come as indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are set to resume, focusing on the second phase of the truce, which includes hostage exchange and the potential cessation of hostilities. Source. During a period of heightened tensions since the start of the conflict in October 2023, in which Hamas's attack claimed the lives of 1,210 Israelis and led to Israeli military operations resulting in over 47,500 Palestinian deaths, Netanyahu's government is feeling pressure from hard-right coalition members to abandon the ceasefire and continue operations against Hamas.

As the discussions unfolded, Trump emphasized that economic and humanitarian initiatives must accompany military strategies to ensure lasting peace, evidencing an understanding of the region’s complex dynamics. The U.S. Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated that the administration is currently reconsidering negotiations associated with the pre-existing ceasefire agreement, suggesting the three-phase initiative may require reevaluation. Witkoff noted the difficulties of adhering to a five-year reconstruction timeline under the existing agreement, highlighting the need for substantial foreign influence and funding.

The cooperation between Trump and Netanyahu raises questions about the future of U.S. policy in the region, particularly in regard to Trump's long-standing ambitions for normalized relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Both leaders aim to achieve a shared goal of eliminating Hamas's threat to Israel, although their strategies and priorities may diverge.

As the situation evolves, with humanitarian needs in Gaza reaching critical levels, the international community watches closely to see how Trump's proposals will be received not just in the Middle East, but globally, as calls for Palestinian rights grow louder amid ongoing debates about peace and stability in the region. Source.