Donald Trump has reportedly urged Jordan and Egypt to open their borders to allow one million people to flee Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The staunchly anti-immigration former president allegedly outlined the proposal during a conversation with a Mail reporter aboard Air Force One this week.
Mr Trump is said to have made the remarks in the same week that he froze US foreign aid and oversaw the deportation of hundreds of people living illegally in the United States.
“You're talking about a million and half people, and we just clean out that whole thing,” he was quoted as saying.
“You know over the centuries it's had many, many conflicts. And I don't know, something has to happen.
“It's literally a demolition site, almost everything is demolished and people are dying there so I'd rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location where they can maybe live in peace for a change.
“I'd like Egypt to take people and I'd like Jordan to take people.”
Mr Trump did not elaborate on the details of his plan or explain his motivations but made the comments after a phone call with Jordan's King Abdullah. He is scheduled to speak with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Sunday, where he may pitch the idea.
Mr Trump, who was sworn in on Monday, said he complimented King Abdullah for taking on refugees and told him: “I'd love for you to take on more, cause I'm looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it's a mess. It's a real mess.”
The Mail wrote that there was no comment on whether the plan meant for just some Gazans or an entire population with the ed op wondering if it could lead to fears of an uncontested Israeli takeover.
Tensions are currently simmering between Hamas and Israel after a ceasefire agreement that has seen hostages reunite with their loved ones.
Earlier this week British foreign secretary David Lammy said the Republican wants to “change the game” in the Middle East by pushing for a normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Mr Trump additionally told the Mail that he could make his first overseas visit to Saudi Arabia if not the UK.
