During a press briefing aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested that Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations should increase their intake of Palestinian refugees from Gaza. He proposed a plan to significantly reduce Gaza’s population, stating his goal was to essentially “clean out” the area to create a fresh start.

Trump also confirmed that he had authorized the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, reversing his predecessor’s decision. This action removes a restriction intended to limit civilian casualties during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, now paused under a fragile ceasefire.

“We released them today,” Trump stated regarding the bombs. “They’ve been waiting for them for a long time.” When asked about the reasoning behind lifting the ban, Trump explained, “Because they bought them.”

Trump, known for his strong pro-Israel stance, mentioned a phone conversation with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and a planned call with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. His vision for Gaza involves substantial refugee relocation.

“I’d like Egypt to take people,” Trump said. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.’”

Trump praised Jordan for its acceptance of Palestinian refugees and conveyed to King Abdullah his desire for Jordan to take in more, citing the dire situation in Gaza.

Such a large-scale displacement would undoubtedly contradict Palestinian identity and their deep ties to Gaza. However, Trump acknowledged the region’s long history of conflict and stated that resettlement could be temporary or permanent.

“Something has to happen,” Trump asserted. “But it’s literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything’s demolished, and people are dying there.” He continued: “So, I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations, and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change.”

In a Sunday statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for providing Israel with the necessary defensive tools, but made no mention of Trump’s refugee resettlement proposal.

Trump has previously expressed unconventional ideas regarding Gaza’s future, suggesting after his inauguration that it needed to be “rebuilt in a different way.”

He further commented, ”Gaza is interesting. It’s a phenomenal location, on the sea. The best weather, you know, everything is good. It’s like, some beautiful things could be done with it, but it’s very interesting.”

The resumption of large bomb deliveries marks a departure from former President Joe Biden’s policy. Biden had halted their delivery in May to prevent a large-scale Israeli assault on Rafah. A month later, Israel did seize control of Rafah, after most of its million-plus civilian population had fled.

“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers,” Biden stated to CNN in May when he withheld the weapons. “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah … I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, that deal with that problem.”

Biden’s pause also affected 1,700 500-pound bombs included in the same shipment, but those were later delivered.

Trump’s decision follows the initial phase of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which included the release of some hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Negotiations regarding the more complex second phase, involving the release of all hostages and a lasting cessation of hostilities, have yet to commence.

The Israeli government has threatened to resume its war against Hamas should the remaining hostages not be released, following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

—Miller reported from Washington