US politics live: Donald Trump’s plan for America to ‘own’ Gaza toned down

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

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

Much of our focus still lies on Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion that America take control of the Gaza Strip - the idea being that its Palestinian residents would be deported to neighbouring Arab countries.

Trump administration officials have tried to massage his remarks today. 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.