US President Donald Trump proposed at the weekend that Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations increase their intake of Palestinian refugees from Gaza to “just clean out” the war-torn area and creates a “clean slate.”

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Mr Trump said he had ended the previous administration’s suspension of the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.

The Biden administration ban was introduced in response to widespread outrage at the large number of civilian deaths caused by Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

“We released them today,” Mr Trump said on Saturday. “They’ve been waiting for them for a long time.”

When asked why he lifted the ban, he replied: “Because they bought them.”

Mr Trump said he had discussed Gaza residents being moved out with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and planned to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

“I’d like Egypt to take people,” he said.

“You’re talking about probably a million and a half people and we just clean out that whole thing and say: ‘You know, it’s over.’”

When asked if this was a temporary or long-term suggestion, he said: “Could be either.”

He praised Jordan for accepting Palestinian refugees and urged the king to take more, stating: “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.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Mr Trump today for “keeping your promise to give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself,” but he did not comment on the refugee proposal.

Hamas echoed fears about Palestinians being driven permanently from their homes, with official Basem Naim telling Reuters: “Palestinians will not accept any offers or solutions, even if they appear to have good intentions under the guise of reconstruction.”

Humanitarian agencies and human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over Gaza’s situation, with nearly the entire population displaced and facing a hunger crisis.

Last year, the US said it opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians.

Last week, Mr Trump called Gaza a “phenomenal location on the sea” with potential for redevelopment.

“The best weather, you know, everything is good,” he said.

“It’s like, some beautiful things could be done with it, but it’s very interesting.”