Trump withdraws US from key UN bodies

President Donald Trump's proposal for the US to take over war-torn Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere has shattered US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sparking widespread condemnation.

- Agencies

Agencies [e-mail] WASHINGTON/PARIS:

The shock move from Trump, a long-time New York property developer, drew rebukes from international powers including Russia, China and Germany, which said it would bring "new suffering and new hatred". Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia rejected the proposal outright.

Trump, in his first major Middle East policy announcement, said he envisioned building a resort where international communities could live in harmony after over 15 months of Israeli bombardment devastated the tiny coastal enclave and killed more than 47,000 people, by Palestinian tallies.

It is not clear whether Trump will go ahead with his controversial proposal or is simply taking an extreme position as a bargaining strategy. Trump said that he plans to visit Gaza, Israel and Saudi Arabia, but did not say when he will go.

Trump offered no specifics as he announced his proposal while welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Tuesday. He said he and his team had been discussing the possibility with Jordan, Egypt and other regional countries.