Trump says he will not muscle through his plan for US taking over Gaza and redevelop it

US President Donald Trump says he won't muscle through his plan for the United States to take over and redevelop the Gaza Strip into a tourist destination, displacing Palestinians.

Trump said in a Fox News interview on Friday he still thinks the plan is a good idea and was "a little surprised" Egypt and Jordan reacted negatively, given both receive US financial assistance.

"I'll tell you, the way to do it is my plan. I think that's the plan that really works. But I'm not forcing it. I'm just going to sit back and recommend it," Trump said.

Trump pointed out that "Gaza has a wonderful location and Israel's abandonment of it previously is questionable."

Trump stressed that the Strip, which suffered a 15-month war, has become uninhabitable, adding: "Gaza is completely destroyed and if its residents were given the freedom to choose, they would leave it."

Trump had previously said he wouldn't threaten to withhold financial aid from Egypt and Jordan if they don't agree to accept significantly more refugees from Gaza.