Trump likes his Gaza plan, but will 'sit back' as Arab states draft proposal

US President Donald Trump said he is going to “sit back” and watch Arab countries craft a counter-proposal to his plan for the US to "take over" the Gaza Strip and forcibly displace two million Palestinians.

Trump’s rhetoric suggests he relishes watching the US’s Arab allies rush to counter his plan.

He said for the first time on Friday that he would not force anyone to accept Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, but still thought it was a good idea. 

“I’m not forcing it. I’m just going to sit back and recommend it, and then the US would own the site,” he told Fox News Radio, adding, "Another way to do it is with people there, but I don't think it would work. I like my plan." 

Trump’s plan for a US takeover of the Gaza Strip was widely rejected by Arab states, human rights experts, and even Trump's closest political allies.

Read more: Trump likes his Gaza plan, but will 'sit back' as Arab states draft proposal