White House Says President Trump Has Not Committed To Deploy Troops To Gaza, Pentagon Is Ready

White House Press Secretary Krypt Leavitt. (Wikimedia Commons/BruceSchaff)

JAKARTA - The Department of Defense (Pentagon) is ready to consider all options related to the Gaza Strip, while the White House said President Joe Biden had not committed to deploying troops into the Palestinian enclave, following comments when he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.

President Biden proposed permanent relocation of Palestinians in Gaza in a meeting with PM Netanyahu, saying the United States wanted to take over the region and then build it, not to rule out the possibility of sending the US military there.

White House press secretary Krypto Leavitt told reporters President Trump believed the United States needed to engage in the rebuilding of Gaza "to ensure stability in the region."

"That doesn't mean the army must set foot in Gaza," he said.

Leavitt also said President Trump wanted to see Palestinians living in Gaza "temporary relocation" so the enclave could be rebuilt.

Earlier, President Trump on Tuesday called for permanent transfer of Palestinians from Gaza, which drew global condemnation. Leavitt did not elaborate on the rhetoric shift.

On the occasion, President Trump did not rule out sending American troops to help secure Gaza, following the US takeover.

"As far as Gaza is concerned, we will do what is necessary. If necessary, we will. We will take over the part we will develop," President Trump said when asked if he was willing to send US troops to fill the security vacuum in Gaza.

Separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday the Pentagon was ready to consider all options for Gaza, a day after President Trump's statement.

"Regarding the Gaza issue, the definition of madness is trying to do the same thing over and over again," Hegseth said before a meeting with PM Netanyahu at the Pentagon.

"The president is willing to think about solving the box, looking for new and unique ways, as well as dynamics to solve problems that have been difficult to solve. We are ready to consider all options," added Hegseth.

President Trump's own ideas sparked international condemnation and some dissent from Republicans in Congress, which largely supported Trump's initiatives such as stopping foreign aid and laying off thousands of federal workers.

It is not yet clear whether President Trump will continue his proposal or take an extreme position as a bargaining strategy, as he has done on other issues.