'Invasion of US troops into Gaza would not make Americans more safe,' says US Congressman

WASHINGTON

US Congressman Pete Aguilar on Wednesday said President Donald Trump's proposal to take over the Gaza Strip is "not a thoughtful strategy."

❝An invasion of US troops into Gaza would not make Americans more safe. It would make Americans a target❞

US Congressman Pete Aguilar calls President Trump's proposal to take over the Gaza Strip 'not a thoughtful strategy,' saying it would make the US 'less safe'… pic.twitter.com/Wlah2qyNvr

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"It is very clear that what the President talked about would make our country less safe. An invasion of US troops into Gaza would not make Americans more safe; it would make Americans a target," Aguilar told reporters.

His remarks came a day after Trump said at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US "will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too."

"I'm gonna just take a wild guess: the president's plans include hotels, resorts, and casinos. That's just who he is, but this is not a thoughtful strategy that would keep Americans safe or reduce our Defense Department costs," Aguilar said.

Trump’s proposal came after a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 47,500 Palestinians and left the enclave in ruins.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.