() President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested the United States “take over” the Gaza Strip and handle cleanup in the war-torn region.

The president welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, making him the first head of state to visit the White House in Trump’s second term.

The pair of world leaders addressed the press Tuesday following what Trump called “fantastic talks,” echoing an earlier suggestion that the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza should be permanently resettled.

Trump said he sees the United States engaging in “a long-term ownership” of Gaza, telling the press that the idea has received “tremendous praise.”

The president did not clarify whether his resettlement idea means he does not support a two-state solution.

Trump suggests ‘all’ Palestinians permanently resettle from Gaza

Trump said that the Gaza Strip “should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have … lived a miserable existence there,” referring to Palestinians.

“Instead, we should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts” and “build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza,” the president said.

When asked how many Palestinians should be resettled in an earlier address Tuesday, Trump said, “All of them.”

Trump suggested building enclaves for Palestinian Gaza residents in neighboring countries. He did not suggest the same for Israeli residents.

When asked where Palestinians will go, Trump did not specify any countries.

Regarding Palestinians moving back to Gaza once it is rebuilt, Trump said he envisioned Gaza becoming an “international, unbelievable place” that includes Palestinians, though he did not provide a timeline for their return.

The president also said the United States will take over the Gaza Strip, taking responsibility for dismantling bombs and cleaning out the debris in the region, which has been reduced to rubble since Oct. 7, 2023.

When asked if U.S. troops would go to Gaza to secure the area, Trump said, “We will do whatever is necessary.”

Both Trump and Netanyahu also talked about the need to contain Iran and make sure Iran does not build a nuclear weapon. 

At the same event, Trump said Saudi Arabia was not demanding a Palestinian state, which the kingdom swiftly refuted.

The statement from the Saudi foreign ministry said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has affirmed the kingdom’s position in “a clear and explicit manner” that does not allow for any interpretation under any circumstances.

Saudi Arabia also rejects any attempts to displace the Palestinians from their land, the statement said, adding that its stance towards the Palestinians is unnegotiable.

Gaza Ceasefire

Negotiations for the second phase of a permanent ceasefire were supposed to start Monday, but Netanyahu delayed talks until he personally met with Trump.

President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas days before leaving office. Though it occurred during the Biden administration, Trump has said he deserves credit for making the deal happen.

Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday he believes the 47th president provided “powerful leadership” but did not say who deserved credit for the deal.

Trump has not been confident about the long-term prospects for the truce.

“I have no guarantees that the peace is going to hold,” Trump told reporters on Monday.

The deal includes multiple phases. The first phase will include the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children and men over 50 years old.

Under the deal, a permanent ceasefire would come with both sides agreeing on who will be in power when the fighting ends. 

Many families of the hostages who were taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 are concerned that the ceasefire deal could fall apart over contention about Gaza’s new leadership. 

Both Netanyahu and Trump say Hamas cannot remain in power.   

Another tenant of that ceasefire deal is the total withdrawal of Israeli troops, which Netanyahu has been staunchly against.

That leaves much to be hammered out before the deal can reach phase two. 

Netanyahu has already held meetings with national security adviser Michael Waltz and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle Eastern envoy. 

Reuters contributed to this report.