Ammon News - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he is committed to buying and owning Gaza, but could allow sections of the war-ravaged land to be rebuilt by other states in the Middle East.

“I'm committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it, other people may do it, through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back.”

Trump made his remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to New Orleans to attend the National Football League Super Bowl championship.

"There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished. Everything’s demolished,” he said.

Trump also said he was open to the possibility of allowing some Palestinian refugees into the United States, but would consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, condemned Trump's latest remarks on buying and owning Gaza, the group said in a statement.

"Gaza is not a property to be sold and bought. It is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land," and Palestinians will foil displacement plans, Rashq added.

Trump has spoken of permanently displacing Palestinians who live in Gaza and would create a "Riviera of the Middle East."

Trump last week floated the idea of the United States taking over Gaza and engaging in a massive rebuilding effort. Reuters