U.S. moderates Trump's remarks on Gaza reconstruction

Following the dramatic announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States would "take control" of war-torn Gaza and relocate its inhabitants temporarily, American officials appeared to soften the president's statements on Wednesday.

The White House clarified that the U.S. would not finance Gaza's reconstruction with taxpayer dollars. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, stated that the administration would work with regional partners to rebuild the devastated Palestinian territory, which has been severely impacted by 16 months of war and a humanitarian crisis.

Leavitt emphasized that while the U.S. must engage in the reconstruction effort, it would not involve deploying American troops or using taxpayer money for this purpose. She also stressed that President Trump had not committed to sending soldiers on the ground in Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement from Guatemala, explained that Trump's proposal was for Palestinians to temporarily leave Gaza during its reconstruction, with the aim of rebuilding the destroyed buildings so that people could eventually return. Rubio framed this as a "very generous" offer to manage the reconstruction.

During his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump declared that the U.S. would "take possession" of Gaza, remove the destroyed buildings, and focus on developing the region economically. His remarks were widely condemned worldwide, especially after suggesting that Gazans could relocate to Jordan or Egypt, a notion rejected by these countries and Palestinians alike.

Leavitt noted that the U.S. expects regional partners, particularly Egypt and Jordan, to temporarily host Palestinian refugees while Gaza is rebuilt. Trump remains committed to transforming the region into a place where people can return and live harmoniously once the reconstruction is complete.

She also stressed that suggesting people should live in the dire conditions currently in Gaza is counterproductive, urging for a more hopeful perspective.