House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, expressed early support for President Trump’s proposal to “take over the Gaza Strip” and relocate 1.8 million Palestinians. Trump’s bold comments, made during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasized the opportunity to transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Johnson described Trump’s proposal as unprecedented and pledged the House GOP’s solidarity with the President’s initiative.

The rationale behind Trump’s proposal lies in enhancing Israel’s security by addressing the threats posed by terrorist organizations like Hamas and Iran-backed proxies. While the specifics of the plan are yet to be revealed, Johnson urged patience and emphasized the importance of creating a safer environment in Gaza to protect Israel.

Support for Trump’s approach was echoed by South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, who commended the President’s strategic use of leverage in negotiations, drawing parallels to his handling of tariffs against Mexico and Canada. However, some Republicans, like Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, expressed reservations about committing American resources to Gaza reconstruction.

Despite a few dissenting voices, such as Sen. Rand Paul’s concerns about potential military involvement and financial costs, strong opposition within the Republican party to Trump’s Gaza proposal remains limited. The majority seem inclined to support the President’s vision for reshaping the region and securing Israel’s safety.