Trump wants US to ‘take over’ Gaza, warns Palestinians to leave

“​​It would be my hope that we could do something really nice, really good, where they wouldn't want to return," he said.

“Why would they want to return? That place has been hell. It's been one of the meanest, one of the meanest, toughest places on earth.”

The announcement poses major questions for the Albanese government, which has frustrated Israel by repeatedly calling for a ceasefire and taking a firmer stance on a two-state solution.

The Coalition’s assistant shadow foreign affairs spokesperson Julian Leeser refused to “provide a running commentary” on Trump’s comments.

Netanyahu’s right-wing cabinet includes some extremists who have called for the annexation of Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza is legally Palestinian territory and would form part of a Palestinian state, the creation of which is supported by Australia. While Trump provided few details on how his plan would work, annexing a foreign territory is illegal under international law.

Israeli attacks have killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza since it began bombarding the densely-populated strip following Hamas’ October 7 attack.

But more than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza after a shaky ceasefire was announced in recent weeks.

What they said: “We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out."