Trump expects Arab partners to come up with alternative to relocating Gazans — White House

US President Donald Trump expects Washington's Arab partners to come up with proposals on Gaza’s future that would represent an alternative to relocating Palestinians from the enclave, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Report informs via TASS.

Trump discussed the issue at talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, according to the spokeswoman.

"The king would much prefer that the Palestinians stay in place, with the additional land to be used for new development, which would greatly create jobs at levels never seen before. But the president feels it would be much better and more majestic if these Palestinians could be moved to safer areas," she said. "I would just add to that that the president remains wholeheartedly committed to seeing peace in the Middle East. And our Arab partners in the region have been tasked with coming up with a peace plan to present to the president."

On February 4, Trump said at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following their talks at the White House, that the US was considering long-term ownership of the Gaza Strip in order to develop it for the sake of peace in the Middle East. He also proposed relocating Palestinians from the enclave to other countries in the region, which he said could pay for it.

Arab countries, Iran and some Western nations have opposed Trump's proposals. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow took note of the US president's idea, but also acknowledged that Egypt and Jordan have refused to cooperate with the plan.