Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed President Trump’s bold idea to “take over” the Gaza Strip. He said “all options” are open.
Hegseth wouldn’t say what the U.S. might do. But he told Laura Ingraham that Trump thinks outside the box and isn’t afraid to shake things up.
On Tuesday, Trump stunned many by suggesting the U.S. could level Gaza and rebuild it. He even floated the idea of a “long-term ownership position,” calling it the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Hegseth, a former "Fox & Friends Weekend" host, said Israel must wipe out Hamas first. After that, Trump is open to discussing Gaza’s future.
"You bring peace by eradicating terrorists who seek the destruction of Israel," Hegseth said. "Hopefully, we don’t have to use American boots at all. That’s my preference."
Trump told reporters the U.S. would “own” Gaza and clear it of unexploded bombs and weapons. When asked about troops, he said, “We’ll do what is necessary.”
Joey Jones, a Fox News contributor and retired Marine, disagreed. "I'm not for it," he said. He believes Trump is playing chess to push countries like Saudi Arabia or Jordan to step in instead.
Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have already rejected Trump’s call to relocate Palestinians while Gaza is rebuilt.
Hegseth told Ingraham that Trump is considering other nations taking in refugees. "People may be caught off-guard, but that’s what he was elected to do," he said.