President Donald Trump proposed a U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, outlining a plan that includes relocating its roughly 2 million residents to neighboring countries and transforming the territory into a developed economic hub.

The announcement came during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who signaled support for the idea.

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump, 78, said.

He detailed plans to clear the war-torn area of unexploded bombs and destroyed buildings, then redevelop the land into an economic center.

“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings—level it out and create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area,” Trump stated.

The president added that residents of Gaza would be relocated as part of a transitional phase, indicating they would not be allowed to return.

“Just can’t go back. If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years,” Trump said.

Trump suggested that U.S. troops could be deployed if necessary and described his vision of Gaza’s future as a prosperous and internationally recognized location.

“The world’s people will be occupying an international unbelievable place,” he said, referring to the proposed redevelopment. “It will be the Riviera of the Middle East.”

Netanyahu appeared open to the proposal, stating that it could mark a turning point for the region.

“I think it’s something that could change history, and it’s worthwhile really pursuing this avenue,” the Israeli prime minister said. “He has a different idea, and I think it’s worth paying attention to this.”

Trump emphasized that he had studied the proposal extensively and had consulted leaders in the Middle East who were supportive.

“I’ve studied this very closely over a lot of months, and I’ve seen it from every different angle,” Trump said. “I spoke to other leaders of countries in the Middle East, and they love the idea. They say it really brings stability, and what we need is stability.”

The proposal follows a ceasefire agreement reached last month between Israel and Hamas, which Trump had pushed for by warning of severe consequences if hostages were not released before he took office on January 20. Despite the ceasefire, Hamas still maintains some control in the region after a 16-month-long war.

Trump warned that the U.S. response would be “somewhat more violent” if Hamas failed to comply with the terms of the agreement and release all remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the conflict.

Trump’s relocation plan has already faced resistance from regional leaders. Both Egypt and Jordan previously rejected his request to accept Gaza’s displaced residents. However, the president expressed confidence that these governments would reconsider and insisted that Gazans would welcome the move.

“Gaza is a hellhole right now,” Trump said. “It was before the bombing started, frankly, and we’re going to give people a chance to live in a beautiful community that’s safe and secure, and I think you’re going to see tremendous outpouring of support.”

The president made several remarks throughout the day about Gaza, including a statement in the Oval Office before the press conference, where he suggested that displaced residents would not wish to return.

At the press conference, Trump reiterated his long-term vision for U.S. involvement in the region.

“I do see a long-term ownership position,” he said when asked about the potential U.S. control of Gaza.

“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.”

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