President Donald Trump doubled down on bombshell plans for the Gaza Strip, saying the Palestinian enclave would be "turned over to the United States by Israel."

Aides had sought to walk back the president’s proposal, which drew condemnations. Israel’s defense minister said its military would draft plans for Gazans who wished to leave.

Donald Trump has shocked the world by suggesting the US could "take over" and "own" Gaza, resettling its population in the process. The US president later repeated elements of the proposal on social media, saying Gaza would be "turned over" to the US by Israel under his plan.