Trump lays claim to Gaza

President Donald Trump sparked alarm after he said the U.S. will "take over" the Gaza Strip and "own" the territory during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump unveiled his surprise plan, without providing specifics, at a joint press conference on Tuesday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump said in the explosive press conference, which ran about 40 minutes, that the reconstruction of Gaza would create economic development and supply "unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area."

He added that Palestinians could be resettled away from their homes in the war-torn enclave, in "areas where the leaders currently say no". Both Jordan and Egypt have rejected the idea, while the Palestinian ambassador to the UN said "our homeland is our homeland".

Speaking to reporters, Trump said: "Instead of having to go back and do it again, the U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip. We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site."

"I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East," he added.

"I don't want to be cute, I don't want to be a wise guy," the president said before suggesting that Gaza could be "the Riviera of the Middle East."

Gaza has suffered huge destruction after the 15-month conflict between Hamas and Israel, with more than 47,000 people killed.

This comes as Trump also said Tuesday that he is in "no rush" to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the new trade war between the world's two largest economies, which was ignited by his sweeping 10 percent tariffs on all Chinese imports.