Far-fetched as Mr. Trump’s vision for Gaza may be — the Arab world has roundly rejected it and any forcible removal of a population violates international law — it abruptly shifted attention away from the future of the cease-fire deal, whose initial, six-week phase is due to end in early March.

President Trump said on Friday that there is "no rush" moving forward with his "Gaza takeover" plan, which he also described as a "real estate transaction" between America and Israel. Why it matters: Trump's comments at the top of his Oval Office meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seem to be putting the brakes on the plan after it stunned the middle East and generated alarm among America's Arab allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has set his sights on transforming Gaza into a luxury Mediterranean destination. Backed by Israel’s leadership, this plan reimagines Gaza as a real estate jewel, replacing its shattered neighborhoods with high-end developments.