(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested the U.S. “take over” Gaza and handle cleanup, but Arab nations and their leaders in the region are rebuking the plan.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the United Nations to “protect the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights” and said that what Trump wanted to do would be a “serious violation of international law.”
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia says its commitment to a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering.
Abbas is meeting Wednesday with the king of Jordan. Trump said Jordan is one nation that could take in some Palestinians, but the country has said it does not support removing Gazans from the enclave.
When questioned over whether the U.S. military would be involved in the “takeover” of Gaza, Trump said: “If it’s necessary, we’ll do that.”
“We’re going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs,” Trump said.
At a press briefing Wednesday, though, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is not committed to having boots on the ground.
“His administration will work with partners in the region to reconstruct this region,” Leavitt said, adding that Trump will meet with the king of Jordan next week and that he already spoke with the king of Bahrain, crown prince of Saudi Arabia and president of Egypt.
When asked whether Trump is prepared to remove Palestinians by force, Leavitt said Trump wants Gaza to be a place where all people can live.
“The president is prepared to rebuild Gaza for Palestinians and all people in the region,” Leavitt said.
While Trump previously said Palestinians should be “permanently” relocated out of Gaza, Leavitt said Wednesday the president is committed to rebuilding the region for all people who want to return to it “once it is no longer a demolition site.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, says he supports Trump’s proposal. Sources in Israel who spoke to NewsNation say Trump’s announcement took them by surprise.
It shocked world leaders as well.
Asked in the House of Commons about Trump’s remarks, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes in Gaza.
While Germany has been an ally of Israel, its Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in a statement that the “displacement of the Palestinian civilian population from Gaza would not just be unacceptable,” but also said it would go against international law.
“This would also lead to new suffering and new hatred,” Baerbock said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
