The US has said a plan presented by Arab states for rebuilding Gaza fails to address the reality that the enclave is “uninhabitable” and that residents "cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance".

In a statement to The National, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said US President Donald Trump stood by a plan he previously floated that aims to displace Palestinians from Gaza to make way for reconstruction and settle them in Jordan and Egypt.

“President Trump stands by his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas,” Mr Hughes said. “We look forward to further talks to bring peace and prosperity to the region,” he added, appearing to leave the door open for discussions with Arab states.

Arab leaders gave their backing on Tuesday to an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza at an emergency summit in Cairo, where they called for a long-term solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Arab plan avoids resettling Palestinians from Gaza.

Shortly after the Cairo gathering concluded, the Israeli foreign ministry rejected the outcome, also saying the Arab plan fails to address realities after the attack by Hamas of October 2023.