In Netanyahu Meeting, Trump Advocates for Permanent Gazan Resettlement

During a joint press conference at the White House on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Palestinians should be permanently resettled outside of Gaza, suggesting that returning to the war-torn enclave would not be in their best interest.

"I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza," Trump said. "They’ve lived like hell. If they had an alternative, they’d much rather not go back."

This marks Trump’s clearest stance yet on the future of Gaza’s population. He has previously floated the idea of temporary or permanent relocation for Gazans but had not stated a definitive position until now.

The press conference also covered a range of Middle East policy issues, including:

Normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia Trump dismissed claims that Saudi Arabia demanded a Palestinian state as a precondition for diplomatic ties. “No. Everybody’s demanding one thing peace," he said.

Iran’s Nuclear Threat Trump brushed off speculation that Netanyahu wants the U.S. to strike Iran, challenging reporters: "What do you know about anything?"

Israel’s War Goals in Gaza Netanyahu reiterated that Israel remains committed to eliminating Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and ensuring Gaza never poses a threat again.

As Israel and Hamas head toward new ceasefire negotiations, Trump’s remarks signal a potential shift in U.S. policy regarding the region’s long-term future. Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues to push for a post-Hamas Gaza that aligns with Israel’s security needs.

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