Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Gaza could be "one of the best places in the world," but that the Palestinians "have never benefited" from its coastal location on the Mediterranean Sea.
The former real estate developer made these comments in a radio interview, claiming that he "was there" (in Gaza), despite public records showing that he has never visited the territory, according to Axios. A source from his campaign told the New York Times that "Gaza is in Israel." "And President Trump was in Israel."
In an interview coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the host Hugh Hewitt asked Trump whether Gaza, which has seen vast areas destroyed during Israeli air and ground strikes, could "become Monaco if rebuilt the right way." "And to be a place that all Palestinians take pride in and wish to live in?"
Trump replied, "You could be better than Monaco." It has the best location in the Middle East, the best water, and the best of everything. She is the best; I've been saying that for years. I have been there, and it is harsh." It's a harsh place, before, you know, all the attacks and before everything that happened over the past two years."