Washington, 5 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump has said the United States "will take over the Gaza Strip" and develop the war-torn Palestinian coastal area.

"We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings," Trump said after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington on Tuesday.

"Level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area," Trump said.

The around two million Palestinians living in Gaza should be relocated to other countries "with humanitarian hearts," he said without naming specifics.

Trump added that Gaza could become "the Riviera of the Middle East" where anyone, including Palestinians, could live.

The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 abducted.

The subsequent war has left the coastal strip in ruins and created a humanitarian catastrophe. More than 47,400 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. The number does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

During the press conference, Trump did not rule out sending US troops to secure the area.

"As far as Gaza is concerned, we'll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we'll do that."

In late January, Trump called on Arab nations to increase the number of Palestinian refugees they accept from the Gaza Strip.

The proposal raised concerns among Palestinians it could lead to an ethnic cleansing of Gaza's population, and the leaders of Palestine, Egypt and Jordan, as well as the Islamast Hamas authority in the Gaza Strip, condemned the suggestion.

Saudi Arabia rejects Trump's call

Saudia Arabia said the kingdom's position on the establishment of a Palestinian state was "firm and unwavering," a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.

Saudi Arabia would "continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that," a statement posted on X said.

"The international community has a duty today to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain steadfast on their land and will not move from it," the statement said.

"Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current U.S. administrations."

Israel has job to finish, Netanyahu says

Appearing alongside Trump, Netanyahu called on Trump to help secure Israel's future and bring peace to the region.

"We have to finish the job in Gaza," he said.

Netanyahu said Israel had three goals in Gaza; to destroy Hamas, secure the release of all hostages, and "ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel."

Netanyahu said he believed Trump's "willingness to puncture conventional thinking" would help secure Israel's future.

"You see things others refuse to see. You say things others refuse to say, and after their jaws drop, people scratch their heads and they say, 'you know, he's right'," Netanyahu said of Trump.

"This is the kind of thinking that will reshape the Middle East and bring peace."

Israel would end the war by winning the war, Netanyahu said.

"Israel's victory will be America's victory. We will not only win the war working together, we will win the peace with your leadership, Mr President, and our partnership, I believe that we will forge a brilliant future for our region."