US President Donald Trump said that it would be a good thing for the United States to "control and own" the Gaza Strip, reiterating a proposal he has made several times during the first weeks of his administration.
"Having a force like the United States there to control and own the Gaza Strip would be a good thing," Trump added during a briefing with reporters at the White House after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He continued, saying: "If the Palestinians were transferred to other countries, and there are many countries willing to accept them, then what I call a freedom zone could be created, where people will not be killed every day."
Trump expressed his surprise at "why Israel gave up Gaza in the first place," describing it as "a wonderful strategic location, but uninhabitable."
Regarding his campaign promise to end the war, Trump said, "I hope the war stops, and I think it will happen in the not-too-distant future." He noted his administration's ongoing efforts to free prisoners held by Hamas, adding that the process of releasing them all "will take a long time."