Trump says no US troops ‘would be needed’ in his plan to rehab Gaza

(Gray News) - President Donald Trump continues to reassert his commitment to his Gaza plan despite his team’s attempts to walk back his comments.

In a post made to Truth Social on Thursday, the president said that “no soldiers by the U.S. would be needed” in his plan to take over and redevelop the Gaza Strip.

“The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting,” Trump said in his post.

Press Secretary Karolina Leavitt made similar comments during the White House briefing on Wednesday. She said that although the president “needs to be involved” in the redevelopment of Gaza, that does not mean “boots on the ground.”

During the briefing, Leavitt said that Trump expects U.S. partners in the region to aid in his efforts.

“The U.S., working with great development teams from all over the World, would slowly and carefully begin the construction of what would become one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth,” Trump said in his post.

Trump also said that Palestinians would be resettled in “far safer and more beautiful communities” in the region. U.S. officials previously said the relocation of Palestinians would be temporary.

Trump’s administration has been attempting to dial back parts of his proposal, which has been widely rejected internationally.

Palestinians have strongly rejected his proposed relocations, fearing that Israel would never allow them to return. Key U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Egypt have also refused his plan, warning the expulsion of Palestinians would destabilize the region.

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