President Donald Trump’s recent comments about the United States potentially taking over the Gaza Strip and transforming it into “The Riviera of the Middle East” have sparked widespread debate. Among those weighing in is Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), a U.S. Army veteran and newly appointed chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who offered insights into the feasibility and implications of such a plan during a CNN interview.
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump floated the idea of the U.S. assuming long-term ownership of Gaza to oversee its redevelopment.
The proposal, which includes resettling Palestinians and rebuilding the war-torn territory, has drawn both praise and skepticism. Critics have questioned the lack of details, particularly regarding how Palestinians would be resettled and whether U.S. troops would be deployed to the region.
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When asked about the practicality of Trump’s plan, Chairman Mast emphasized that the proposal should be viewed as part of a broader strategy to explore new solutions in the Middle East. “The point is that all options are on the table,” Mast said. “Look at the world from a different vantage point. Instead of saying, ‘This is the way it’s always been done,’ we should look for new solutions.”
Mast acknowledged the ambiguity of Trump’s comments but suggested that such ambiguity can serve a strategic purpose. “It leaves every foreign intelligence agency guessing what’s going to happen, which is good for America’s national security,” he said.
One of the most pressing questions surrounding Trump’s proposal is whether it would require U.S. troops to occupy and rebuild Gaza. Mast, a veteran who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan, expressed a personal reluctance to see American boots on the ground unless absolutely necessary. “Personally, do I want to see American troops on the ground? Not in any circumstance other than the fact that there are still Americans being held [overseas], and there’s an American coming to get them,” Mast said. “Aside from that being the situation, I don’t want to see troops on the ground.”
READ: White House Addresses Questions On Gaza Plan, Rejects Premise Of U.S. Entanglement
He also addressed concerns that the proposal could put a target on Americans by making the U.S. appear as an occupying force. “It doesn’t make the United States safer for this idea to be out there if individuals think that the U.S. is planning on ridding Gaza of Palestinians and taking it over,” Mast acknowledged.
Mast suggested that Trump’s comments could be interpreted as a negotiating position rather than a concrete plan. He framed the proposal as a vision for what Gaza could become if terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were eliminated, and if Palestinians were willing to coexist peacefully with Israel.
“Are we dealing with a Gaza that’s totally rid of Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist organizations?” Mast asked. “Are we dealing with a group of people willing to accept an independent and Jewish state and say they’re done with kidnappings and bombings? If so, that’s a different conversation.”
READ: National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Provides Insight Into Trump’s Proposal Of Gaza Takeover
Mast’s comments imply that Trump’s proposal is less about immediate action and more about setting the stage for future negotiations. “In the absence of [peaceful conditions], there is not an American partner there in any way, shape, or form,” he said.
Mast also addressed concerns from Trump’s base, many of whom voted for the former president because of his promise to avoid foreign entanglements. “No matter what, you see that commitment and that promise executed from President Trump,” Mast said. “There are always negotiating positions and ambiguity for the purposes of national security, but if it doesn’t meet the bar of putting America’s national security first, it’s not going to be an action that’s executed.”
The conversation shifted to reports that the Trump administration is considering shutting down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Mast, who served honorably in Afghanistan, expressed mixed feelings about the potential move.
READ: Trump Proposes U.S. Ownership Of Gaza Strip “The Riviera Of The Middle East”
“President Reagan spoke a lot about the importance of American leadership and values on the global stage,” Mast said. “While we must always prioritize America’s interests, we also have to consider how our actions abroad reflect our commitment to freedom and democracy.”
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