Pressure on Israel to Extend Ceasefire; Trump Reaffirms Gaza Takeover Plan

Following the ceasefire in Gaza, efforts are being made to pressure Israel into extending it further. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again reiterated his plan to take control of Gaza. His statement has angered several Middle Eastern countries, including long-time U.S. allies. Despite this backlash, Trump remains firm on his stance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has further fueled tensions by expressing his commitment to implementing Trump’s plan. He stated that it would not be the U.S. military executing the plan but Israel itself.

Netanyahu’s Meeting with Trump

Netanyahu recently met with Trump in the U.S. and, upon returning, is expected to hold a security cabinet meeting. In an effort to negotiate a second phase of the ceasefire, he had sent a delegation to Qatar, although it did not include top officials.

What Did Trump Say?

On Sunday, Trump declared, “I am fully committed to taking over Gaza. I want to buy it. We want to ensure that Hamas never returns to power there. There will be nothing left for them to return to. A lot still needs to be destroyed.”

Trump suggested that Arab nations would eventually agree to resettle Palestinians elsewhere, stating, “They talk about returning to Gaza only because they have no other option. If given a choice, they would never want to go back.”

Referring to the hostages released by Hamas, Trump compared their condition to Holocaust survivors, saying, “Looking at them makes it difficult to remain patient. Their condition is terrible. I cannot delay fulfilling my promise any longer.”

Reactions from Israel and the Arab World

Israel has supported Trump’s proposal, but Egypt has called for an emergency Arab League summit on February 27 to discuss the plan.

Trump’s suggestions, made during his recent meeting with Netanyahu at the White House, have sparked outrage among Arab nations, including key U.S. allies like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II have rejected Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s 1.8 million Palestinians and place the region under U.S. control. However, Trump insists that they will eventually accept it.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that, following high-level discussions among Arab nations, Cairo will host the Arab League summit, including the State of Palestine, to address the “new and dangerous developments regarding the Palestinian issue.”

(With agency inputs)