President Donald Trump's proposal to take control of the war-torn Gaza Strip has sparked a wave of confusion and skepticism among some Republicans, while others have expressed support for the idea.

The controversial suggestion came after Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, where he proposed that the U.S. take over Gaza and transform it into a “Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling Palestinians elsewhere.

This bold proposal has drawn widespread international criticism and caused a split within the Republican Party. While many Republican lawmakers have supported Trump’s previous initiatives, such as cutting foreign aid and reducing federal workers, some have voiced strong opposition to the Gaza takeover idea.

Skeptical Republicans have reiterated their support for the long-standing two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. diplomacy for decades. They also rejected the idea of sending U.S. troops or taxpayer dollars to a region ravaged by over a year of conflict.

“I thought we voted for America first? We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers’ blood,” said Republican Senator Rand Paul on social media.

The proposal has been met with fierce opposition from Democrats as well, who have criticized it as a form of ethnic cleansing. "That is ethnic cleansing by another name," Senator Chris Van Hollen declared.

Republican Senator Jerry Moran emphasized that the two-state solution cannot be dismissed lightly, calling it “not something that can be unilaterally decided.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski also expressed concern, stating that the idea of sending U.S. forces into the volatile region was “quite frightening.”

Despite the controversy, House Speaker Mike Johnson backed Trump’s plan, calling it “bold, decisive action” aimed at securing peace in the Middle East. He stated that he would discuss the proposal with Netanyahu during their upcoming meeting at the U.S. Capitol.

“We’re going to stand with Israel as they work towards this goal, and we’ll stand with the President on his initiative,” Johnson said in a news conference.

Stay tuned as this developing story continues to unfold and watch for further reactions from lawmakers and international leaders.