Israel & Trump have 'common strategy' for Gaza: Netanyahu

Tel Aviv: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Sunday that Israel and US President Donald Trump had a “common strategy” on Gaza’s future. He made a curious statement after his meeting with top US diplomat Marco Rubio.

Netanyahu said that they discussed “Trump’s bold vision for Gaza’s future”, and they will work to make the vision a reality.

Dozens of bulldozers, construction vehicles, and trucks carrying mobile homes were stationed on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing on Thursday, awaiting entry into Gaza, according to Egyptian state-affiliated media. Al-Qahera News, which has close ties to Egyptian intelligence, reported that the equipment was positioned at the border in preparation for deployment into the war-torn Palestinian territory. However, Israeli authorities have denied permitting the entry of heavy machinery into Gaza. Omer Dostri, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that no coordination had been made for such equipment to enter through Rafah. He emphasised that, under the current agreement, no goods are allowed to pass through this border crossing.

US President Donald Trump, whose proposal to take over Gaza drew much acceptance among right-wing Israelis, stood firm with his words, saying “he will own it” and “more than 2 million Palestinians have no right to return, that they have no alternative but to leave,” which was his response to a query about the fate of Palestinians' habitat.

Trump’s proposal to turn Gaza into a real estate destination, along with his request for neighbouring Arab countries to accommodate more than 2 million Palestinians, faced strong criticism not only from Palestinians and Arab leaders but also from global leaders, including those from Germany, the UK, Australia, and France, with the UN warning that there is no international law to justify it and that it would be considered a crime.