President Donald Trump pressed forward with his plan for the United States to take control of Gaza during a White House meeting Tuesday with Jordan's King Abdullah II.
"We’re going to take it, we’re going to hold it, we’re going to cherish it," President Trump said, also referencing his experience as a real estate developer.
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"We're going to get it going eventually, where a lot of jobs are going to be created for the people in the Middle East," the president added. "It's going to be for the people in the Middle East. But I think it could be a diamond. It could be an absolute tremendous asset for the Middle East and you're going to have peace. It's going to bring peace."
President Trump's comments come a week after he floated the idea of the U.S. taking ownership of the war-torn country, leveling it, and rebuilding with hotels, housing and more. He said his plan would "create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area."
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President Trump has also indicated that he hopes neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan will be willing to accept Palestinian refugee settlements, something Jordan's King Abdullah said Tuesday will require further discussions with Egypt.
"Wait for, I think, the Egyptians to present their plan on how we can work with the president to work on the Gaza challenges," said King Abdullah.
"I have to look at the best interest for my country," he added.
However, King Abdullah did agree Tuesday to take in 2,000 sick Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip, though it remains unclear when that will begin.
In a recent interview with Fox News, President Trump said Palestinians resettled in the region would not be allowed to return to Gaza under his plan.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said Tuesday that he and his security cabinet "expressed outrage over the shocking state" of the three Israeli hostages who were released Saturday as part of a cease-fire agreement. He also threatened to resume the war if Hamas does not free the remaining hostages.
"If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas," Netanyahu said in a statement translated from Hebrew.
"Last night I instructed the IDF to amass forces inside — and surrounding — the Gaza Strip," he added. "This action is being carried out at this hour and will be completed very soon."
