Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is eager to hear alternatives from Arab states to President Trump’s plan to forcibly displace Gaza’s population, when speaking on the conservative radio programme, The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, Al Jazeera reports.

“They don’t like it, but the only plan right now is the Trump plan. If they’ve got a better plan, now’s the time to present it. So we’re looking forward to that,” Rubio said.

In the interview, Rubio also suggested that Israeli forces returning to fighting in Gaza would not solve any issues.

“Any plan that leaves Hamas there is going to be a problem because Israel is not going to tolerate it,” he said.

“Someone has to confront those guys [Hamas]. Who’s that going to be? It’s not going to be American soldiers. If the countries in the region can’t figure that piece out, then Israel is going to have to do it, and then we’re back to where we’ve been … So that doesn’t solve the problem,” Rubio continued.