Within hours, though, top Trump administration officials had begun trying to walk back some of the most explosive elements of Mr. Trump’s proposal, arguing that he had not committed to using American troops or funds for the rebuilding of Gaza, and suggesting that any relocation of Palestinians would be temporary.
Mr. Johnson, who spoke before the Trump administration’s apparent damage control efforts, defended Mr. Trump’s original comments, urging people to wait until more details emerged before judging the plan.