“I am committed to buying and owning Gaza”, says Trump

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his plan to take control of Gaza, and said that he could allow other states in the Middle East to rebuild parts of the war-ravaged enclave.

“I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it," Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One as he traveled to the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.

"Other people may do it through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back. There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished," he added.

Trump described the enclave as "the most dangerous site anywhere in the world to live in," but said "we'll make it into a very good site for future development by somebody".

"We'll let other countries develop parts of it. It'll be beautiful. People can come from all over the world and live there," he told reporters.

"But we're going to take care of the Palestinians. We're going to make sure they live beautifully and in harmony and in peace, and that they're not murdered."

The US president announced his plan to take over Gaza almost a week ago, following a meeting at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At the time, he said that displaced Palestinians would not want to go back to Gaza. On Sunday, Trump told reporters that Arab nations would agree to take in Palestinians after speaking with him and insisted Palestinians would leave Gaza if they had a choice.

“They don’t want to return to Gaza. If we could give them a home in a safer area — the only reason they’re talking about returning to Gaza is they don’t have an alternative," Trump said. "When they have an alternative, they don’t want to return to Gaza."

Trump's plan to resettle Palestinians and turn the enclave into the "Riviera of the Middle East" drew widespread international condemnation from leaders and officials worldwide.

Countries including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Türkiye, Iran, and Brazil voiced their opposition to any forced displacement. Australia, Russia and China said a two-state solution is the only way forward. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said "it is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing".