Trump says US will take over Gaza and turn it into ‘Riviera of the Middle East’

'This was not a decision made lightly'

While speaking alongside Israeli leader, Netanyahu, Trump said that the US will 'own' Gaza and that the two million Palestinians living there would go to 'various domains'.

Trump also hinted at potentially sending US troops to Gaza saying: "We'll do what's necessary."

According to Sky News, Trump said that the US would "develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs" and turn it into "something the entire Middle East can be very proud of".

He echoed his recent suggestion that Palestinians could be relocated to Jordan and Egypt, despite both countries rejecting this suggestion.

Trump added: "I hope we could do something where they wouldn't want to go back. Who would want to go back?

"They've experienced nothing but death and destruction."

The US President added that he sees a 'long term ownership position' which be believes would bring stability to the Middle East.

He said: "This was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs."

"It would be the Riviera of the Middle East".

He also claimed that Palestinians should not return to Gaza as it's a "guarantee that they're going to end up dying".