Trump Claims U.S. Will "Own" Gaza, Faces Global Backlash:

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared his commitment to "buying and owning Gaza," while suggesting that some Middle Eastern states could take part in rebuilding the war-torn region.

"I'm committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it, other people may do it, through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

His remarks came amid mounting global criticism of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has faced relentless bombardment since Israel’s military response to Hamas’ October 2023 attack.

Trump: "Gaza Is a Demolition Site"

Trump painted a bleak picture of Gaza’s current state, emphasizing the scale of destruction.

"There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished. Everything’s demolished," he said.

His comments reflect the massive devastation that Gaza has endured, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, an infrastructure collapse, and over 2 million people left in dire humanitarian conditions.

Refugee Policy and Middle East Reactions

Trump also stated he was open to allowing some Palestinian refugees into the United States, but only on a case-by-case basis. However, he did not provide details on how such a process would work.

His proposal to take control of Gaza has sparked fierce opposition from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and several world leaders. Jordan's King Abdullah is expected to strongly oppose the plan during his scheduled February 11 meeting with Trump in Washington, according to Reuters.

Jordanian officials believe the proposal could spread instability across the Middle East and jeopardize Amman’s peace treaty with Israel.

Meetings with Middle Eastern Leaders

Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed that Trump is set to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and possibly Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the future of Gaza.

"President Trump is due to meet with major, major Arab leaders, first and foremost the king of Jordan and the president of Egypt and I think also the crown prince of Saudi Arabia as well," Herzog said in a Fox News interview.

He stressed the importance of consulting regional partners to ensure a sustainable resolution for Gaza.

"These are partners that must be listened to. We have to honor their feelings and see how we build a plan that is sustainable for the future," Herzog added.

White House Silent Amid Growing Global Criticism

The White House has yet to respond to Trump’s remarks, while officials in Cairo and Riyadh have remained unavailable for comment.

Trump’s bold and controversial statements have added another layer of uncertainty to the already fragile situation in Gaza. With growing global pressure and regional opposition, his plan to "own Gaza" faces significant diplomatic and geopolitical hurdles in the coming weeks.