US President Donald Trump’s press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned into a chaotic scene on Tuesday as he announced that the United States should take control of Gaza.
More than 100 journalists had packed into the East Room of the White House, some standing in the aisles due to a lack of seats. When Trump made his announcement, reporters immediately reacted, pushing forward, raising their hands, and shouting questions, Daily Mail reported.
The room turned into a frenzy. Reporters, many of whom were already squeezed against the walls, tried to get Trump’s attention.
Hands shot up instantly. Reporters pushed forward, voices overlapping as they shouted questions. Those in the aisles spilled toward the seated journalists, forming a dense crowd all trying to get the president’s attention.
Some waved frantically, while others jumped up and down, the Daily Mail report said. One journalist called the moment “nuts.”
Trump, standing at a podium with the Israeli and American flags behind him, watched the reaction from a distance. He continued to take questions, deciding himself who to call on instead of allowing Netanyahu to do so.
Trump says US will ‘take over’ Gaza
During the press conference, Trump said the US would take control of Gaza, oversee the removal of unexploded bombs, and clear the destroyed buildings.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a good job with it too,” he said. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.”
He also did not rule out sending American troops to the region. “If it’s necessary,” he said.
When asked who would live there, he responded, “I envision world people living there. The world’s people.” He added that Gaza could become the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Reporters push – each other – for answers
As reporters tried to get more details, Trump continued to take questions, some of them unrelated to Gaza. Afghan journalist Nazira Karimi, standing near the front, asked about US policy on Afghanistan and the Taliban.
Trump struggled to understand her accent. “It’s a beautiful voice and a beautiful accent. The only problem is I can’t understand a word you’re saying,” he said. Another reporter stepped in to clarify the question, but Trump gave a brief response: “I’ll just say this. Good luck. Live in peace.”
Throughout the press conference, Netanyahu listened, most of the time, as Trump spoke, leaning against his podium with his legs crossed.
Trump hinted at plan earlier in the day
Trump’s remarks about Gaza were not entirely unexpected. Earlier in the day, he had invited reporters into the Oval Office before his meeting with Netanyahu, where he suggested moving Palestinians to neighbouring countries.
“I think they should get a good, fresh, beautiful piece of land, and we get some people to put up the money to build it,” he said. He mentioned Jordan and Egypt as possible locations.
He later repeated this idea during his meeting with Netanyahu, saying, “Why would they want to return? The place has been hell.”
Shockwaves From the Announcement
Trump’s statement about the US taking over Gaza sent shockwaves beyond the White House press room.
“I thought, heading into this press conference, it would be hard for President Trump to say something more surprising about Gaza than he’d already said earlier today. I was wrong,” Washington Post reporter Matt Viser wrote on X.
The announcement immediately drew global attention, with leaders and analysts trying to assess what Trump’s comments might mean for US policy in the region.
