ReutersThe proposal of US President Donald Trump to resettle Gaza population will only be temporary, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump's proposal is that the United States can “take over” Gaza and move about two million Palestinians living there – an idea that has caused criticism from the UN, human rights and Arab leaders.
White House spokesman Carolyn Levitus further clarified Trump's comments, saying that the United States is not planning to put “boots on the ground” on the territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Gazanas should be allowed to enjoy freedom of exit and immigration, but gave some details about how it would work.
During the trip to Guatemala Marco Rubio said Trump's proposal was not “hostile” but “generously”, showing “the desire of the United States to become responsible for restoring this area.”
He said the idea was to leave the territory for a “temporary” period while the debris was cleared and a reconstruction was carried out.
According to international law, attempts to force the population from occupied territory are strictly prohibited.
White House spokesman Carolyn Levitt told reporters on Wednesday that the president is committed to restoring Gaza and temporarily moving his residents during the trial.
Trump said on Tuesday the displacement would be constant.
Levit also said the president did not commit to putting “boots on the ground” on the territory, but declined to exclude the use of US troops there.
Her comments come after Trump suggested that she take control of the Gaza tape and reconstruct it into the Riviera of the Middle East.
“The United States will take over the Gaza Strip and we will also work with it,” Trump said on Tuesday during a Joint press conference With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the idea “worth paying attention to.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also praised Trump's proposal, adding that Gazani “should be allowed to enjoy freedom of exit and immigration” by land, sea or air.
He said that countries such as Spain, Ireland and Norway – critics of war – “are legally obliged to allow every Gazan resident to enter their territory.”
He did not explain how the proposal would work – or whether the Gazanas would be able to return after the reconstruction.
Spain's foreign minister rejected the proposal.