The United States “taking over” the Gaza Strip and rebuilding the region would be a “prescription for another October 7” attack, warned John Bolton, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Defense (DOD) via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
In a White House news briefing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week, Trump said that America would “take over the Gaza Strip,” adding, “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and all of the other weapons on the site.”
At the briefing, Trump was asked about sending U.S. troops into Gaza, and he did not rule out the possibility. “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary, if it’s necessary, we’ll do that.”
In a follow-up White House briefing on Wednesday, Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, said the president “has not committed to that just yet.”
Tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, as a ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas faces a critical stage as hostage negotiations continue. The region has endured tremendous loss. Israeli officials say Hamas killed over 1,200 people and captured around 250 hostages during the attack of October 7, 2023, while Palestinian health officials say Israeli forces killed nearly 47,000 in counterattacks, Reuters reported.
Several hostages remained captive in Gaza and the ceasefire deal included successful negotiations for the return of dozens of them.
What To Know
In his comments earlier in the week, Trump said that he also envisions Gaza potentially turning into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” adding that “the world’s people” would live there.
While speaking with CNN‘s Kaitlan Collins on Thursday night, Bolton questioned America’s postwar role in Gaza. He also noted the “critical” issue of whether people will insist on a two-state solution, along with what a humanitarian response would look like in regard to the Palestinian people.
Bolton added, “I think simply rebuilding a high-rise refugee camp in Gaza is a prescription for another October 7 in due course.”
Bolton also took a swipe at Trump’s vision of the region potentially turning into a resort, calling it “just utterly unrealistic.”
What People Are Saying
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, on X: “The Palestinian people have suffered unbelievably. >45,000 killed. >100,000 injured. Healthcare, educational system, housing—all destroyed. Trump’s response? Forcibly remove 2.2 million people from their homes and turn Gaza into a billionaires’ paradise. I don’t think so.”
António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, posted to X on Wednesday: “The Palestinian people have the right to simply live as human beings in their own land. The @UN is fully committed to peace, stability, and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted to X on Thursday: “Yesterday, I met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We discussed the horrific October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of some 1,200 civilians, including more than 40 Americans. I praised Prime Minister Netanyahu for his leadership and courage over the past 15 months, culminating in a ceasefire agreement that secured the release of Israeli, American, and other hostages.
“We agreed Iran remains a regional threat and will work together to address this challenge. I emphasized the unbreakable bond that exists between our two countries and that Israel is a model ally in the region. I made clear that under President Trump’s leadership the United States will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.”
What Happens Next
The region’s ceasefire is still intact and the next phases of the accord are scheduled to proceed.
