Trump’s stunning plan: Turn ruined Gaza into ‘Riviera’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump revealed an extraordinary plan Tuesday for the US to take over the Gaza Strip, resettle Palestinians in other countries, and turn the territory into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

“This could be something that could be so magnificent,” Trump told stunned reporters during a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

The Riviera is the French and Italian coastline famous for its incredible sea views, turquoise and clear water, picturesque towns and delicious cuisine.

In a scheme that lacked details on how he would move out more than two million Palestinians or control Gaza, Trump said he would make the war-battered enclave “unbelievable” by removing unexploded bombs and rubble and economically redeveloping it.

“It should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have... lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there,” he said.

Trump was vague on the details of how he would execute the takeover plan, but hinted that it could require American boots on the ground in one of the most volatile places on earth “if necessary.”

It is not the first time the former property tycoon has spoken about the Palestinian territory in terms of real estate, saying in October it could be “better than Monaco,” a rich microstate on the French side of the Riviera overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Standing at a podium beside Trump, Netanyahu said Trump’s plan could “change history” and was worth “paying attention to.”

The Palestinian envoy to the UN had pushed back strongly at Trump’s suggestions earlier Tuesday for his people to be resettled.

“Our homeland is our homeland,” said Riyad Mansour.

Trump’s grand Gaza plan however is set to face harsh opposition from Palestinians and Middle Eastern countries.

Egypt, Jordan and ceasefire mediator Qatar have all flatly rejected Trump’s suggestion of moving Palestinians from Gaza.

After Trump aired his proposal, Saudi Arabia said it would not formalize ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is established.