WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump has indicated that stakeholders will ultimately reach "a good deal" regarding Gaza's destiny after his previous calls for moving the Palestinian population out of the strip have drawn firm opposition from Arab and international quarters.
"It's a tough neighborhood, but it could be a very beautiful neighborhood. And I think we're going to come up with some pretty good solutions. But phase one is almost complete. We've had some people that have been very seriously injured, very seriously hurt both physically and mentally. They've come out of there very, very -- and some of them in very, very bad shape," Trump said during a news conference following talks with his guest, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump held the talks with Starmer at the White House, late on Thursday.
"... I think we're going to make it much better. And I think that we've had a huge impact on that since we've been in just the four weeks," Trump said. "I think we've had a huge impact on Gaza, the Middle East, and we have some pretty good talks going on concerning lots of other people that are going to make it better. So, we'll see what happens. Nobody really knows, but we'll see what happens" On Ukraine, he indicated that priority is reaching peace ... But I don't like talking about phase two until I get phase one. Phase one is they have to make peace, and we have to get Russia to agree." For his part, Starmer chose to shed light on plight of a British citizen that had been held in Gaza, alluding to "Emily Demari, who is British, being reunited with her mother. You may remember she had her fingers missing after what she endured." On the general situation in Gaza, Starmer stated, "We need to allow Palestinians to return and to rebuild their lives. And we must all support them in doing that. And yes, I believe that the two-state solution is ultimately the only way for a lasting peace in the region." (end) rsr.rk