() Norman Roule, formerly a national intelligence manager for Iran, outlined his perspective following President Donald Trump’s statement about “owning Gaza.”

During an appearance on ‘s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports,” the Middle East expert said he believes there are “positive” elements to Trump’s statement.

“There are serious difficulties with this issue, but what’s the alternative besides leaving these people to sit for five to seven years in rubble and traumatize a generation of Palestinians?”

Trump on Tuesday said he favored taking over the home of 2 million Palestinians, who would be relocated so that the property could become “the Riveria of the Middle East.” The idea was condemned in several quarters, notably in Saudi Arabia, which rejected the idea of displacing Palestinians.

On Wednesday, Trump representatives appeared to soften the concept, saying Trump hasn’t committed the military and that Palestinians would not be sent away for good.