Saudi Arabia responds to Trump's Gaza "takeover" proposal
According to Riyadh, a "permanent" peace in Gaza is attainable solely through the creation of a Palestinian state. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Saudi Arabia has firmly stated that the only path to achieving “permanent peace” in the enclave lies in the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Saudi Foreign Ministry made this declaration on Wednesday, emphasizing its steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause and rejecting any efforts to displace Palestinians from their homeland.
This announcement comes in light of recent comments made by US President Donald Trump regarding the possibility of an American takeover of Gaza. During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the United States could take control of the territory, restore it by clearing damaged buildings, and potentially transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He also reiterated his belief that Palestinians should be permanently resettled outside of Gaza.
Although the Saudi Foreign Ministry did not directly reference Trump’s statements, its recent remarks echoed concerns related to his proposals.
In the statement, Saudi Arabia emphasized its “unequivocal rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.” The ministry underscored that “permanent peace” cannot be achieved without the realization of Palestinians' “legitimate rights” to statehood. It called on more “peace-loving countries to recognize the State of Palestine,” in accordance with the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement also made it clear that Riyadh would not normalize relations with Israel without this crucial condition being met, asserting that its position concerning the Palestinians is “non-negotiable.”
Netanyahu, in response to Trump’s proposal, praised the president for thinking “outside the box” regarding Gaza.
A significant aspect of Trump’s plan suggests relocating Gaza’s approximately two million residents to neighboring nations, such as Egypt and Jordan. While Trump claimed that his plan had regional support, he did not provide detailed information on how the relocation would be executed.
This proposal has faced substantial backlash across the Middle East and beyond, with human rights advocates condemning it as a form of ethnic cleansing.
In response, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, stated that instead of being resettled abroad, Palestinians in Gaza should have the opportunity to return to their original homes in what is now Israel. Mansour remarked, “For those who want to send” Gazans “to a happy ‘nice place,’ let them go back, you know, to their original homes inside Israel. There are nice places there, and they will be happy to return to these places.”
The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of approximately 47,500 Palestinians and left over 111,500 injured during 15 months of Israeli attacks on Gaza, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. UN reports indicate that around 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced due to the conflict.
Israel's military operations were initiated following a Hamas cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals and the abductions of 250 others. A US-brokered ceasefire is currently in effect, accompanied by ongoing prisoner exchanges. Israeli authorities indicate that 79 hostages are still in Gaza, with 35 presumed deceased.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
This announcement comes in light of recent comments made by US President Donald Trump regarding the possibility of an American takeover of Gaza. During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the United States could take control of the territory, restore it by clearing damaged buildings, and potentially transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He also reiterated his belief that Palestinians should be permanently resettled outside of Gaza.
Although the Saudi Foreign Ministry did not directly reference Trump’s statements, its recent remarks echoed concerns related to his proposals.
In the statement, Saudi Arabia emphasized its “unequivocal rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.” The ministry underscored that “permanent peace” cannot be achieved without the realization of Palestinians' “legitimate rights” to statehood. It called on more “peace-loving countries to recognize the State of Palestine,” in accordance with the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement also made it clear that Riyadh would not normalize relations with Israel without this crucial condition being met, asserting that its position concerning the Palestinians is “non-negotiable.”
Netanyahu, in response to Trump’s proposal, praised the president for thinking “outside the box” regarding Gaza.
A significant aspect of Trump’s plan suggests relocating Gaza’s approximately two million residents to neighboring nations, such as Egypt and Jordan. While Trump claimed that his plan had regional support, he did not provide detailed information on how the relocation would be executed.
This proposal has faced substantial backlash across the Middle East and beyond, with human rights advocates condemning it as a form of ethnic cleansing.
In response, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, stated that instead of being resettled abroad, Palestinians in Gaza should have the opportunity to return to their original homes in what is now Israel. Mansour remarked, “For those who want to send” Gazans “to a happy ‘nice place,’ let them go back, you know, to their original homes inside Israel. There are nice places there, and they will be happy to return to these places.”
The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of approximately 47,500 Palestinians and left over 111,500 injured during 15 months of Israeli attacks on Gaza, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. UN reports indicate that around 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced due to the conflict.
Israel's military operations were initiated following a Hamas cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals and the abductions of 250 others. A US-brokered ceasefire is currently in effect, accompanied by ongoing prisoner exchanges. Israeli authorities indicate that 79 hostages are still in Gaza, with 35 presumed deceased.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
