The proposal of President Donald Trump of the United States to take over the war-torn Gaza Strip triggered confusion and skepticism from some of his fellow Republicans on Wednesday, while others backed the idea.
Media Talk Africa reports that Trump, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, proposed that the US take over Gaza and create a “Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling Palestinians elsewhere.
The idea sparked international condemnation and some dissent from Republicans in Congress, who have largely fallen in line behind Trump’s initiatives, such as pausing foreign aid and eliminating thousands of federal workers.
Skeptical lawmakers said they still favoured the two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, which has long been a foundation of US diplomacy.
Some also rejected the idea of spending US taxpayer dollars or sending in US troops to a region that has been devastated by more than a year of war.
“I thought we voted for America first? We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers’ blood,” Republican Senator Rand Paul said on X.
Media Talk Africa gathered that Republicans held narrow majorities in Congress over Democrats, who rejected the idea outright.
“That is ethnic cleansing by another name,” Senator Chris Van Hollen said.
According to Republican Senator Jerry Moran, the idea of a two-state solution cannot just be thrown out.
“It’s not something that can be unilaterally decided,” he said.
Also speaking, Senator Lisa Murkowski said she would not speculate about any possible proposal to send US forces into a region that has seen enough turmoil.
“I don’t even want to speculate to that question, because I think that is quite frightening,” she said.
However, House Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the plan as “bold, decisive action to try to secure the peace of that region.”
Johnson said he would discuss the issue with Netanyahu when he meets with him at the US Capitol on Thursday.
“I think people understand the necessity of it, and we’re going to stand with Israel as they work towards this goal. And we’ll stand with the President on his initiative,” Johnson said in a news conference.
