Following a meeting with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump vowed to aid Israel directly in removing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and for the US to assume full control of the region.

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip,” Trump told reporters at a joint White House press conference with Netanyahu on Wednesday. “We’ll own it… We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal.”

Hamas and other Middle Eastern leaders have condemned the idea of the US intervention in Gaza. This also comes as Israel and Hamas are set to restart ceasefire negotiations, which could be jeopardized by Trump’s comments.

There is no indication of what the United States’ goal would be in the region, but there are two main hypotheses:

1. Military Bases

The US could use Gaza as a military outpost. Its strategic location in the Mediterranean and its proximity to Iran and Saudi Arabia could make it a prime spot for army, naval, and air force bases. With tensions being on the rise in the region following these claims, it’s also likely that Israel will face invasions and strikes from nations such as Jordan, Syria, and Iran. This would allow the US to mobilize more rapidly to aid Israel in a potential conflict.

2. Economics and Trade

The Gaza Strip is also very close to the Suez Canal. Trump has been very vocal about his want to dominate international trade routes such as the Panama Canal between North and South America. The southern-most point of Gaza is only 228 KM (141 miles) from the Suez Canal in Egypt, and, due to their relationship with Iran, it is possible for Trump to set his eyes on the canal and its $7.8 billion dollars of revenue from 2024.

It is important to consider the everyday people in Gaza during this time. This is a scary moment for them, as Trump also called for different nations to set up humanitarian camps to house the estimated 1.8 million Palestinians that would be displaced.

In order for the US to take over Gaza, it would require a vote of Congress to start.