America News Agency

Trump, during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said, "The U.S. will take control of the Gaza Strip, and we will do something about it." He later described his vision for the region as a new "Riviera."

"We will take ownership of this place, remove all unexploded dangerous bombs and other weapons from the ground, flatten the terrain, and be responsible for clearing the destroyed buildings," he said.

When asked whether he was willing to send U.S. troops to fill the security gap in Gaza, Trump did not rule out this option.

"We will do what is necessary for Gaza. If needed , we will do that too. We will take over that piece and develop it," Trump said.

Trump, in a statement to reporters in the White House's East Room, added, "I see a long-term ownership position, and I think this will bring great stability to that region of the Middle East and perhaps to the whole Middle East." He continued, "This was not an easy decision. Everyone I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the U.S. owning that piece of land, developing it, and creating jobs for thousands of people."

Despite Trump claiming that everyone he's spoken to likes this idea, there will be many people in the region opposing this plan. Egypt and Jordan have rejected the idea of accepting more Palestinian refugees, concerned about instability and fearing that Palestinians will never be allowed to return.

Trump suggested that what he envisions is a future in which Palestinians are largely excluded from Gaza.

Earlier in the day, in a statement from the Oval Office, Trump said, "I think people should not return to Gaza. I’ve heard that Gaza is very unlucky for them. They live like in hell. They live like they are in hell. Gaza is not a place where people can live, and the only reason they want to return is, I strongly believe, because they have no other alternative."

Trump also said that there could be Palestinians among those who will return to Gaza, but he did not view Gaza as a permanent home for Palestinians.

"Yes, Palestinians will live there. Many people will live there," he said.

Trump, a former real estate developer, said that he had "closely studied this issue for months."

These statements came after Trump's previous suggestion of moving Gaza residents to a new location secured by one or more Middle Eastern countries.

"They are there because they have no other options. What do they have?" Trump said just before hosting Netanyahu for Oval Office talks.