Donald Trump has suggested the US will "take over" the Gaza Strip and move Palestinian people elsewhere, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Look back at how the day's developments unfolded.
Key Events
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Australian Islamic Councils president calls for government to oppose Trump's proposal
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Analysis: Trump's Gaza plan has the potential to spark disaster on a huge scale
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PLO rejects Trump's plan, reiterates support of two-state solution
Thanks for joining us
We're closing up the blog for this evening.
In the meantime, my colleagues Emily Clark and Toby Mann have compiled the key takeaways from today's press conference.
You can also look back at all the developments below or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our breaking news alerts to stay up to date.
Australian Islamic Councils president calls for government to oppose Trump's proposal
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) joined a chorus of condemnation, calling upon the Australian government to denounce Trump's remarks.
AFIC president Dr Rateb Jneid said such proposals were "unacceptable and catastrophic".
"They disregard international laws and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people," he said in a statement.
"We call upon the Australian Government to respond with more than mere disapproval.
"It is time for Australia to unconditionally recognise the state of Palestine and oppose any actions that undermine its sovereignty."
Dr Jneid adds the AFIC demands the government "act decisively" and with "moral clarity".
"[Recognising the state of Palestine] is not just symbolic—it is a crucial step towards upholding international law and supporting global justice."
Analysis: Trump's Gaza plan has the potential to spark disaster on a huge scale
The Hamas attack on Israel of October 7, 2023, has been called Israel's September 11. With good reason.
On the day the Twin Towers fell in New York, we knew something fundamental had changed in the world; but we didn't yet know what.
We now know it led to the America's series of forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, spawning a seemingly never-ending cycle of violence, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives.
Similarly, as the horrifying images of the Hamas attack on Israel beamed around the world, it was clear that the Middle East would never be the same again.
Now, we are seeing another massive change to the long-term consequences of that day.
What is going on with the US Treasury?
Multiple Democrats are now accusing Trump of attempting to cover up what's going on at the US Treasury.
So let's dig into the issue a little further.
Billionaire Elon Musk's government efficiency team has reportedly been given access to sensitive government financial data, including information related to social security payments, Medicare refunds and tax refunds.
That happened on Friday, and followed a standoff with a Treasury official, who had attempted to block Musk's team from gaining access to the system.
The New York Times reported that official, David Lebryk, was put on leave and retired after the dispute.
There are concerns the new authority could give Trump another lever to restrict money approved for spending by Congress, where other attempts have failed.
Opponents of the move have also voiced concern that Musk and those on his team could exploit the personal information of Americans for personal gains.
Representative Maxwell Frost spoke outside the Treasury on Tuesday. (Reuters: Kent Nishimura)
Here's some of what Representative Maxwell Frost, who spoke to protesters outside the Treasury on Tuesday, has said:
"We are here today because an unelected billionaire and his team have been given full and unfettered access to our taxpayer money, and our government.
"We just tried to enter the Treasury Building as members of Congress, and we will, because we need to provide oversight to Elon Musk and his team.
"We don't know what they're doing behind these closed doors. The people deserve transparency.
"The fact that an unelected billionaire has all your private information is a problem."
(Reuters: Kent Nishimura)
'Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people not the United States': American-Islamic relations council
America's largest Muslim civil rights organisation, CAIR, says Donald Trump's proposal is "delusional" and "unacceptable".
"Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States, and President Trump's call to expel Palestinians from their land is an absolute non-starter," the group wrote on X a while ago.
"If the Palestinian people were ever somehow forcibly expelled from Gaza, this crime against humanity would spark widespread conflict, put the final nail in the coffin of international law, and destroy what remains of our nation's international image and standing."
We also brought you the words of Palestinian-American congresswoman Rashida Tlaib who says Trump is "openly calling for ethnic cleansing".
China opposes 'forced transfer' of Palestinians
China says it is opposed to the "forced transfer" of Palestinians from Gaza.
Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the nation was opposed to Trump's proposal during a press conference.
"China has always maintained that Palestinian rule over Palestinians is the basic principle of the post-war governance of Gaza," he adds.
Reporting with AFP
📹 : Middle East politics expert says focus should be on rebuilding Gaza
Middle East politics expert Dr Lana Tatour at UNSW says the focus of the international community should be on rebuilding Gaza for the benefit of Palestinians.
"What we are talking about is ethnic cleansing, pure and simple," she says.
"Trump's plan cannot be described in any other way."
Watch the interview below:
Amnesty International says Trump shows 'contempt for international justice'
Human rights advocacy organisation Amnesty International has said Donald Trump and the US government is "showing contempt" for the international justice system by welcoming Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.
The organisation referred to Netanyahu's arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court in a statement on X.
"The US has a clear obligation under the Geneva Conventions to search for & try or extradite persons accused of having committed or ordered the commission of war crimes.
"There must be no ‘safe haven’ for individuals alleged to have committed war crimes & crimes against humanity."
The US doesn't recognise the jurisdiction of the ICC as it is not a signatory to the court's founding document, the Rome Statue, but is instead an observer state.
For more on the allegations against Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and several Hamas leaders, we've got this:
New Zealand say it won't comment on every Trump proposal
New Zealand's Foreign Ministry has given a fairly similar response to Anthony Albanese in regards to Trump's Gaza proposal.
In a statement it said its "long-standing support for a two-state solution is on the record".
It added, like Australia, it "won't be commenting on every proposal that is put forward."
PLO rejects Trump's plan, reiterates support of two-state solution
Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Secretary General Hussein Sheikh says the PLO rejects all calls for the displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland, following Trump's remarks.
"The Palestinian leadership affirms its firm position that the two-state solution, in accordance with international legitimacy and international law, is the guarantee of security, stability and peace," Sheikh said on X.
The PLO is internationally recognised as the official representative of the Palestinian people.
Iran's foreign policy driven by dignity, wisdom and interest, spokesperson says
An Iranian spokesperson says its foreign policy is driven by dignity, wisdom and interest, in response to Trump saying that Washington was ready to reach out to Tehran.
"Our foreign policy has always been driven by the following principles: dignity for our country and people, wisdom …and interest," Fatemeh Mohajerani said during a press conference.
"Wisdom means looking behind the scenes and having correct understanding of them."
On Tuesday, Trump restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that included efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
He added he was open to a deal with Iran and expressed a willingness to talk to President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Reporting with Reuters
Nationals Senate Leader says Gaza shouldn't be 'haven for terrorist organisations'
Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie was earlier questioned over the Coalition's position on Gaza, following Trump's comments.
"I think within this we have to move towards a peaceful solution where Israel as a Jewish state is allowed to exist and thrive within that region and shouldn't be under threat from Hamas, Hezbollah," McKenzie says.
"Gaza, should no longer be a haven for terrorist organisations, for attacks on Israel to continue."
(ABC News: Matt Roberts )
ICYMI: Trump administration releases executive orders related to Iran and UNRWA
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has released two new executive orders relating to Iran and UNRWA.
One entitled "National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2" relates to imposing maximum pressure on Iran, denying Iran's nuclear weapon, and countering its "malign influence".
The orders says Iran has "declared its hostility to the United States and its allies and partners" since 1979.
"Iran bears responsibility for the horrific Hamas massacres committed on October 7, 2023, and bears responsibility for continued Houthi attacks against the United States Navy, allied navies, and international commercial shipping in the Red Sea," the order reads.
"Since April 2024, the regime has twice demonstrated its willingness to launch ballistic and cruise missile attacks against the State of Israel."
The other says it will halt US funding to several UN organisations, including the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
"UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated by the Secretary of State (Secretary) as foreign terrorist organizations, and UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel," it reads.
Minister Butler pressed over Donald Trump's Gaza plan
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has swerved questions about Donald Trump's extraordinary declaration that he intends to forcibly relocate the people of Gaza.
Health Minister Mark Butler has also been pressed over Trump's comments, but refused to provide a "daily commentary" on the US President.
"The job of the Australian government is to articulate our position and our position has been consistent, it's articulated in accordance with what we think are Australian values," he tells Afternoon Briefing.
"It's been a bipartisan.
"Our job is not to provide a running commentary on what another government does."
(ABC News )
Palestine advocacy network says Australia must ' demand accountability' from Trump
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) says it "unequivocally condemns" Trump's Gaza proposal, saying the Australian government must take "immediate and decisive action to show that it will not tolerate this dangerous incitement to war crimes".
In a statement, it outlined five actions it wants the government to commit to including:
- Publicly condemning the plan and demanding accountability from both Trump and Netanyahu
- Demanding a permanent ceasefire
- Cutting all military and economic ties to Israel
- Imposing sanctions on Israel
- Expelling the Israeli ambassador and pressuring the US to to pursue Palestinian rights, sovereignty and self-determination
APAN President Nasser Mashni says Australia cannot "sit in silence".
"Trump's proposals are not just reckless — they are a calculated attack on Palestinians and on humanity itself," he says.
"If Australia, and the international community, cannot prevent the US and Israel from following through with this plan, then international law and a rules-based order will have been consigned to the dustbin of history."
📹 : Analyst says remarks on Gaza are 'typical Trump'
American Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller says Trump's remarks were "embarrassing" and reduce Washington's credibility globally.
Watch the full interview below:
Gaza will be uninhabitable for '10 to 15 years': US Middle East envoy
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff earlier said he believes Gaza will be uninhabitable for "at least the next 10 to 15 years".
"That's how much work has to be done there," he tells Fox News.
He adds that a better life doesn't occur because Gazans "get to pitch a tent in the Gaza Strip".
"A better life is not necessarily tied to the physical space that you're in today," he says.
"A better life is about a better opportunity, better financial conditions, better aspirations for you and your family."
Trump's decision to 'take over' Gaza sparks response from Australian pollies
Earlier we brought you Anthony Albanese's reaction to Trump's extraordinary declaration.
Now some other politicians have chimed in.
Liberal senator Dave Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel, says there are some "positive" elements from the president's press conference.
"One was that he doesn't want to see the cycle of violence repeated … Secondly that he wants to see the Palestinian people have a better future, he wants to see Israelis allowed to live in security.
"And finally he wants the Arab world to play more of a role in helping to secure a peace in the region.
"Now, what he's said about US ownership or control of Gaza, at the moment, we would need to see more details about what he has in mind."
He added that Trump's team often says to take him seriously but not necessarily literally.
Meanwhile, Greens leader Adam Bandt says Trump's announcement was "proof" that a Trump presidency was "a threat to peace and democracy".
Hamas official says Trump's plan is 'ridiculous and absurd'
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri has firmly shot down Donald Trump's remarks about taking over the Gaza Strip.
"Trump's remarks about his desire to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd, and any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region," he told Reuters.
'Looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship': Israeli far-right minister applauds Trump
Israel’s National Security Minister and controversial far-right politician Itamir Ben-Gvir appears to have applauded the outcome of Trump's meeting with Netanyahu.
He has previously stated he would leave Netanyahu's coalition if a ceasefire went ahead, and has demanded a total elimination of Hamas.
On social media, he encouraged the migration of Gazans outside of the Strip.
"I call on the Prime Minister to announce as soon as possible the adoption of the plan and to start making immediate progress in a practical way," he wrote.
He followed up with a post calling it the "beginning of a beautiful friendship".
