President Trump Wants US To Have Gaza So Hamas Doesn't Come Back, Allows Middle Eastern Countries To Build It

President Trump. (Twitter/@WhiteHouse)

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump said he could allow Middle Eastern countries to rebuild the Gaza Strip, as he reiterated his commitment to buying and owning the Palestinian enclave on Sunday.

"I am committed to buying and owning Gaza. Regarding its rebuilding, we can give it to other countries in the Middle East to build some of it, others can do it, through our auspices. However, we are committed to having it, taking it, and making sure Hamas doesn't come back," he told Reuters on February 10.

President Trump made his remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to New Orleans to attend the National Football League Super Bowl championship.

"Nothing can be lived in anymore. This place is the location of the demolition. The rest will be destroyed. Everything will be destroyed," he said.

President Trump also said it was open to the possibility of allowing some Palestinian refugees into the United States, but would consider the request based on case-by-case cases.

Separately, El Rashq's Ezzat, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, condemned Trump's latest statement about the purchase and ownership of Gaza, the group said in a statement.

"Gaza is not a property that can be sold and purchased. It is an integral part of the Palestinian land we occupy, and Palestine will thwart the relocation plan," Rashq said.

Earlier, President Trump had spoken about the permanent transfer of Palestinians living in Gaza and would create "Central East Riviera." He said when he received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House last week.