Trump, Netanyahu discuss Gaza and Saudi deal

President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu to the White House.

Speaking to the media, Trump said Netanyahu was the "right leader" for Israel as he discussed a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, adding that Saudi Arabia did not put up a demand for a Palestinian state.

When asked about the next phase of a deal between Hamas and Israel, Netanyahu stressed his three war goals.

"I support getting all the hostages out and meeting all our war goals. That includes destroying Hamas' military and government capabilities and making sure that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again. All three," he said.

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said during a joint press conference alongside his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, later describing his vision for the area as a new “Riviera.”

“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings,” he said.

“I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East,” Trump told reporters in the East Room of the White House. He said later: “This was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent.”

"I think peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only feasible, I think it's going to happen. I think if we had another half a year in your first term, it would have already happened." Netanyahu said.

There will be many in the region who oppose Trump’s plan, despite his claim that all of his interlocutors love it. Already, Egypt and Jordan have rejected the notion of accepting additional Palestinian refugees, wary of destabilization and fearful they will never be allowed back home.

believe anyone would want to remain in the war-torn territory.