National Security Council Waltz defends President Trump's Gaza plan

The truce agreement between Israel and Hamas is continuing to be implemented. Israeli forces withdrew Sunday from the corridor dividing the Gaza Strip, and entire Palestinian families began their journey back to their homes in the northern part of Gaza.

But what is expected to happen to Gaza residents after the end of the war remains an open issue.

United States President Donald Trump has circulated the idea that Gaza's population will be restored to other countries and the United States will take control of Gaza to rebuild it. President Trump's National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, responded to those who have criticised the plan Sunday.

You can't turn Gaza into Paris of the Mediterranean like Beirut in the '70s to ensure a better life for these residents when you have 1.8 million people living in absolute poverty and piles of ruins. All those who don't like his proposal, including the media, come to us if you have a better plan”, Mr. Waltz stated in an interview for the “Meet the Press<x1 TV channel.

President Trump's plan has found support in Israel, but the Arab world and Palestinian leaders oppose it completely.

We need to rebuild the Gaza Strip. Gaza's belt is a very valuable component of the state of Palestine. It's part of our homeland and we have no homeland but the state of Palestine”, Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyadh Mansour declared.

Meanwhile, the Israelites celebrated the release of other hostages over the weekend.

Five Thai workers who were held by Hamas for over a year were reunited with their loved ones on Sunday.

183 Palestinian prisoners were also released as part of the deal.

Talks on the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will begin this week in Qatar. / VOA