Australian news and politics live updates: Reactions from Donald Trump’s plan to ‘take over’ Gaza

Benajmin Netanyahu says Trump’s shock plan for the US to takeover Gaza is worth pursuing.

“He has a different idea, and I think it is worth paying attention to this,” he said.

“We’re talking about it. He is exploring it with his people, with his staff. I think it is something that could change, it is worthwhile, really pursuing this.

Mr Trump has discussed the US taking over Gaza as a way to bring stability.

“This was not a decision made lightly, everybody I have spoken to love the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent, really magnificent that nobody would know and nobody can look because all they see is death and destruction and rubble and demolished buildings falling all over. A terrible sight.

“I have studied this very closely over a lot of months and I have seen it from every different angle and it is a very dangerous place to be.

“It is only going to get worse. I think it is an idea that has gotten tremendous, I am talking about from the highest level of leadership, gotten tremendous...and if the United States can help to bring stability and peace in the Middle East we will do that.”

Mr Trump says the hostages already released under the Gaza peace deal have returned “damaged in many ways”.

“But they are going to get better and they are going to be strong and they are going to have a good life, and we hope to get as many as possible out, whether or not it holds, I don’t know, we hope that it holds.”

“In Gaza, Israel has three goals. Destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, secure the release of all of our hostages andensure that Gaza never again poses athreat to Israel,” Mr Netanyahu said.

“I believe, Mr President, that your willingness to puncture conventional thinking, thinking that has failed time and time and time again, your willingness to think outside the box with fresh ideas will help us achieve these goals. I’ve seen you do this many times.

“You cut to the chase. You see things others refuse to see, you say things others refuse to say and after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads, and they say, you know, he is right.

“And this is the kind of thinking that enables us to bring the Abraham accords, the kind of thinking that will reshape the Middle East and bring peace.

“We also, we also see eye to eye on Iran. That is the same Iran that tried to kill us both -- the same Iran. They tried to kill you Mr President, they tried through their proxies to kill me - tried.

“We are committed to rolling back Iran’s aggression in the region and ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.”

Netanyahu tells Trump: “You are the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House”.

“In the first days of your second term, you have picked up right where you left off, your leadership helped bring our hostages home, among them, American citizens.

“You freed up munitions that have been withheldfrom Israel, they had been withheld from Israel in the midst of a seven front war for our existence. And you freed it.

“You ended unjust sanctions against law-abiding Israeli citizens, you boldly confronted the scourge of anti-Semitism, you stopped funding, and you just said, international organisations like UNRWA that support and front terrorists and today, you renewed the maximum pressure campaign against Iran.

“Ladies and gentlemen, all of this in just two weeks. Can you imagine where we will be in four years?”

“We should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts, and there are many of them they want to do this, and build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza.

Mr Trump said the relocation would be paid for by neighbouring countries of “:great wealth”.

“The people will be able to live in comfort and peace and we willmake sure that something reallyspectacular is done, they will have peace and not going to be shot at and killed and destroyed like this civilisation of wonderful people.

“The only reason the Palestinians want to go back to Gaza is they have no alternative, it’s right now a demolition site, this is a demolition site, virtually every building is down, they are living under fallen concrete that is very dangerous and very precarious, the instant can occupy all of a beautiful area with homes and safety and they can live out their lives in peace and harmony instead of having to go back and do it again. “

Mr Trump blames the “weakness and incompetence” of the Biden years for grave damage around the globe, including in the Middle East.

“October 7 would never have happened if I were President, the Ukraine and Russia disaster would never have happened if I were President and over the past 16 months, Israel has endured a sustained aggressive and ... assault on every front but they fought back bravely.”

“What we have witnessed is an all-out attack on the very existenceof a Jewish state in the Jewish homeland.

“The Israelis have stood strong and united in the face of an enemy that is kidnapped, tortured, raped and slaughtered innocent men, women, children and even little babies, want to salute the Israeli people for meeting these trials with courage and determination and unflinching resolve, they have been strong.”

It’s on. Trump is addressing the world’s media after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu at the White House.

“He is the first foreign head of state to visit during our administration and I want to say it’s an honour to have you with us. Over the past four years, the US and the Israeli Allianz has been tested more than any time in history,” Mr Trump said.

“But the bonds of friendship andaffection between the American andIsraeli people have endured forgenerations and they are absolutely unbreakable, they are unbreakable.

“I’m confident that under our leadership, the cherished alliance between our two countries will soon be stronger than ever, we had a great relationship, we had great victories together, four years ago and that’s how many victories overthe past four years, however.”

US President Donald Trump has been meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, with a media conference to follow shortly.

Staff of both leaders and the members of the world’s media are now gathering in the White House’s East Room in preparation.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also present.

We’ll bring you the leader’s comments as they happen.

Investments in toll roads and student housing added a hefty $26 billion to Australia’s sovereign wealth in 2024.

The 12.2 per cent return on The Future Fund was well in excess of the 6.4 per cent mandated target and brings the 10-year return to 8.1 per cent, the fund’s Board of Guardians announced on Wednesday.

Since its establishment in 2006, investment returns have added $177 billion to put the fund at a record $237.9 billion in value.

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