US Defense Secretary: We are a long way from sending troops to Gaza.
According to Reuters, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsett, referring to President Donald Trump’s recent claim about Washington’s decision to take long-term ownership of the Gaza Strip, claimed that the United States is a long way from sending troops to the strip.
Speaking to Fox News, Hegsett said that, according to estimates, making such a decision would require “serious conversations” that he, as defense secretary, would have with Trump, as well as with the national security adviser and secretary of state, and other US allies and partners.
He added in a threatening tone that “if there is no need, there is no need to use American forces at all.”
The Pentagon chief claimed: “Ultimately, what I know is that the Israelis want to finish what they started against Hamas and destroy the perpetrators of what happened on October 7th (2023). They want the hostages back, and we, as their allies, want to support them in doing that.”
Trump made a bold claim on February 4th at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States is considering long-term ownership of the Gaza Strip in order to develop what he called peace in the Middle East!
He also proposed relocating Palestinians to other countries in the region. He also indicated that the United States is ready to send troops to Gaza if necessary.
Palestinian officials, as well as representatives and leaders of many countries, have rejected and strongly opposed the proposal to relocate Gaza residents. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Moscow will consider Trump’s proposals, but at the same time it is aware of the position of Egypt and Jordan on the resettlement of Gaza residents and knows that they will not accept such a thing.