President Donald Trump of the United States welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to the White House, marking the first visit of a foreign leader during his second term. However, the meeting on Tuesday was controversial as Trump expressed his views on the future of Gaza, suggesting that Palestinians should not return to live in the enclave. He emphasized the need to create a better alternative for the Palestinians, stating that Gaza has been a place of death and destruction. Trump also hinted at the possibility of the US taking over a depopulated Gaza to bring stability to the region.
The ceasefire in Gaza, which has been in place for 42 days, was a key topic of discussion during the meeting. Trump took credit for the ceasefire deal but expressed doubts about its strength and longevity. He also called for a mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, despite warnings from human rights experts about the implications of such a move.
Another important issue discussed during the meeting was the approach to Iran, with Netanyahu praising Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Trump reiterated his commitment to imposing aggressive sanctions on Iran to limit its nuclear program and diminish its capacity to fund terrorism.
Overall, the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu touched on various topics including the future of Gaza, the ceasefire in the region, and the approach to Iran. Despite protests and criticism, Trump reaffirmed his support for Netanyahu and the Israeli government.