Since Jan. 25, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should be taken in by regional Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan, an idea rejected by both the Arab states and Palestinian leaders. Trump's aides defended his proposal but backed away from elements of it after international condemnation.

Trump's suggestions that the U.S. could occupy Gaza, with the possible support of U.S. troops, follows his threatening to take the Panama Canal by military force. And that came after his repeated insistence the U.S. can somehow wrest control of Greenland from Denmark, and that Canadians would like to become the 51st state.

The two leaders are expected to focus on the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, rebuilding and relocating Palestinians in Gaza and normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.