Top US government officials have walked back on some of President Donald Trump’s proposals about taking over Gaza and resettling Palestinians permanently to neighboring countries, after global condemnation and pushback from Middle East states.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday the idea “was not meant as hostile”, describing it as an “offer to rebuild and to be in charge of the rebuilding” and a “generous move”.
Trump’s top aides say displacement would be temporary after the United Nations warns of ethnic cleansing.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later hailed Trump’s Gaza proposal as historic and “outside of the box”.
She added that Trump is committed to “temporarily relocating those” who are still in Gaza.
“It’s a demolition site right now. It’s not a livable place for any human being,” she said. Leavitt added that Trump had been “very clear” that he expected Egypt, Jordan, and others “to accept Palestinian refugees, temporarily, so that we can rebuild their home”.
President Donald Trump has “not committed” to sending American troops to Gaza after the president said Tuesday that the U.S. will “take over” the decimated territory, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
She also stressed that the U.S. will not pay for rebuilding in Gaza, recasting Trump’s earlier comments that suggested a widespread nation-building effort.
“It’s been made very clear to the president that the United States needs to be involved in this rebuilding effort to ensure stability in the region for all people,” Leavitt said at a White House press briefing. “That does not mean boots on the ground in Gaza. That does not mean American taxpayers will be funding this effort.”
