U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on the 6th (local time) that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip must temporarily reside elsewhere while the area is being rebuilt.
According to AP News and others, Secretary Rubio said during his visit to the Dominican Republic that the Gaza Strip is currently "uninhabitable" due to dangers such as unexploded ordnance.
Secretary Rubio did not comment on whether Gaza residents would be able to return to their rebuilt hometowns if former President Donald Trump's Gaza reconstruction plan materializes. However, he said, "I think this is realistic," adding, "To fix such a place, people have to live elsewhere in the meantime." He also encouraged other countries to step up and assist in rebuilding Gaza.
Earlier that morning, President Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social, stating, "When the war ends, Israel will hand over Gaza to the United States," and claimed, "The Palestinian people will be resettled in much safer and more beautiful communities with new and modern homes (once the war ends)."
Previously, on the 4th, President Trump held a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring, "The United States will own Gaza," and announced plans to relocate Gaza residents to other countries and develop Gaza under U.S. leadership, drawing criticism both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, the U.S. online media Axios reported, citing two Israeli officials and two sources, that Secretary Rubio plans to visit the Middle East in mid-month. Additionally, foreign ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are expected to visit the United States soon.
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