By Jeff Mason, Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland and Nidal al-Mughrabi WASHINGTON/CAIRO (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's top aides staunchly defended his proposal for the U.S. to take over war-ruined Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after relocating Palestinians elsewhere.

While far-right Israeli politicians see a chance to snuff out Palestinian hopes for statehood, some in the establishment worry the proposal could spark violence.

U.S. allies, adversaries and residents of countries around the world had strong reactions to President Trump's proposal to take over Gaza.

Mad” is how one Middle East source reacted to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “takeover” of Gaza. So why would someone well versed in Trumpian tactics and the nuance of Middle East diplomacy give such an undiplomatic assessment?

Gazans criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians elsewhere, vowing to never leave the ruins of their homes in the coastal enclave that Trump wants to turn into a "Riviera of the Middle East".

In interviews, some Palestinians said they would rather leave Gaza, given the inescapable devastation — but the decision was theirs, not Trump’s, to make.

U.S. President Donald Trump has offered for the United States to be responsible for the reconstruction of Gaza, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, after the president proposed a U.S. takeover of the enclave.

As Palestinians trek back to their bombed-out homes in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of war between its ruling Hamas party and Israel, President Donald Trump's proposed turning it into the "Riviera of the Middle East" on Tuesday.

World leaders rejected President Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza, permanently move Palestinians and turn the enclave into a “Riviera” of the Middle East.