US Congress members continued their opposition to President Donald Trump’s declaration of the United States taking control of Gaza.
American media outlets reported last night that Representative Melanie Stansbury stated that Trump’s comments are “immoral and violate international law,” reaffirming her opposition to them.
On Thursday, Trump said, “The United States will take control of Gaza from Israel after the fighting ends,” and by then, Palestinians will have been “resettled” in other parts of the region, especially in Egypt and Jordan. He also stated that “there will be no need for U.S. troops” to implement his proposal for Gaza.
Additionally, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, expressed her shock at the US president’s remarks in an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed, saying, “I was horrified by his comments and his vision,” and adding that the administration must reconsider this “flawed vision.”
Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders commented on Trump’s proposal for U.S. ownership of Gaza, saying on social media, ” It is literally impossible to understand what Trump is talking about in terms of Gaza. It is incomprehensible.”
“It is literally impossible to understand what Trump is talking about in terms of Gaza. It is incomprehensible,” Sanders said in a video posted on X. He said that in the last 15 months, people in Gaza have suffered “unbelievably,” with more than 45,000 killed and over 100,000 injured.
“Virtually all of the housing has been destroyed. The health care system, the education system were destroyed. And now, in response to all of that, what Donald Trump was saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to push these 2.2 million people out of Gaza, and we’re going to build something really beautiful, like the French Riviera, so the billionaires can come and enjoy the beautiful view.’”
“It is grotesque. It is almost unspeakable. So together, we are going to work and make sure that we rebuild Gaza for the Palestinian people, not for the billionaire class,” Sanders said.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican told reporters on Friday that “ownership of land in Gaza should be in the hands of the people who already own it,” adding that there are logistical challenges concerning Gaza’s reconstruction.
Senator Kevin Cramer also commented, saying: “I believe the only way for us to be in Gaza is if it’s at their invitation,” and when asked about sending US troops to Gaza, he responded, “It is absolutely none of our business right now.”
Trump proposed US control of Gaza during a press conference held at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Tuesday, also suggesting the resettlement of Palestinians to neighboring countries and the redevelopment of the region into a “Middle East Riviera.”
He first proposed the idea of displacing Palestinians from Gaza on January 25, urging Egypt and Jordan to take in more residents from the Strip. When asked whether he was proposing a long-term or short-term solution, he said, “It could be either.”
