The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has said that the United States will “take over” the Gaza strip, after earlier saying that Palestinians should move out of the region.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said on Tuesday (February 4) during a joint conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported BBC.
Reacting to Trump’s comments, Netanyahu said that the idea is “worth paying attention to.”
Earlier, Trump had said that neighbouring nations could take in displaced Palestinians from Gaza –a proposal that was rejected by Arab nations.
“We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” said Trump.
He added that “everyone loves the idea” and that the US would “create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
The US President said that it could be the “Riviera of Middle East.” Trump described the role of the US in Gaza as a “long-term ownership position.”
When asked by a reporter that who does he envision living in Gaza, Trump said, “People living there. The world’s people,” adding it would include Palestinians.
Following Trump’s statement, other Middle Eastern countries reiterated their demand for an independent Palestinian state.
Saudi Arabia said that its commitment to establishing an independent, Palestinian state is “firm and unshakable,” adding that “a permanent and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights.”
Palestinian militant group Hamas rejected Trump’s statements and issued a warning.
“We reject Trump’s statements in which he said that the residents of the Gaza Strip have no choice but to leave,” said Hamas in a statement, reported DW.
It added that the suggestions are “a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.”
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri also warned that such actions could “ignite the region.”