Washington: US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States plans to take over the Gaza Strip, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump stated, "The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too," outlining plans for economic development and the dismantling of unexploded bombs in the area.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump suggested a permanent resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza, asserting that Jordan and Egypt would take them in. He described the Gaza Strip as a "demolition site" that is currently uninhabitable. This proposal has sparked reactions from various international actors, including opposition from Trkiye and Egypt, who rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians.
In a separate development, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Ankara, marking a significant diplomatic engagement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the visit as a 'historic' step toward a lasting friendship and cooperation between Syria and Trkiye. Erdogan emphasized Trkiye's support for Syria's territorial integrity and expressed confidence in Syria's ability to rebuild itself.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia denied Trump's claim that it would normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Saudi Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the kingdom's stance, stating that its position on the Palestinian state remains "firm and unwavering."
In other news, Palestinians in Gaza face increasing pressure as Trump reiterated his demand for Egypt and Jordan to host displaced Palestinians, a move rejected by both Trkiye and Egypt. Negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement are ongoing, according to Hamas.
On the international stage, Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the US from the UN Human Rights Council and reimposed the "maximum pressure" policy on Iran. In response to US tariffs, China announced new tariffs on American products starting February 10, escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
The USPS has also suspended package acceptance from China and Hong Kong, adding another layer of complexity to international relations.