US politics: Donald Trump’s Gaza plan riddled with holes, analysts claim

Criticism continues to rain down on Donald Trump, who has now been accused of prompting the “death knell” for a free and independent Gaza.

Welcome back to our live coverage of American politics. The new week has brought plenty of fresh developments.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed Donald Trump’s suggestion that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip and “rebuild” the territory, with its population of two million Palestinians ejected into neighbouring Arab countries.

That proposal has been the main focus of politics in the US today, and indeed across much of the world.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has also signed a historic executive order cracking down on transgender women in female sports.

Trump administration officials have tried to massage his Gaza remarks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the equivalent of our foreign minister, told reporters Mr Trump meant the US should temporarily clear out Gaza and rebuild it. That message was later reinforced by the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.

“The President has made it clear that they need to be temporarily relocated out of Gaza for the rebuilding,” Ms Leavitt said.

“It’s not a livable place for any human being. And I think it’s actually quite evil to suggest that people should live in such dire conditions.”

During his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Mr Trump did not, in fact, “make it clear” that he was suggesting a temporary takeover of the Gaza Strip.

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” the President said. “We’ll own it.”

There was enough ambiguity in his remarks, though, to allow some reinterpretation.

Read on for the latest updates.