“The indicators are positive regarding the start of negotiations for the second phase,” he added, without providing further details.

Pope Francis, in hospital with pneumonia, is responding well to treatment, the Vatican said on Saturday, adding that the 88-year-old’s condition had seen “a gradual, slight improvement”.

“Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his property, he should know his own property is within reach,” Palestine Action said on social media.

A measles outbreak in the southwestern United States has killed two people and infected more than 200, prompting a top health agency to issue a travel warning.

“I actually think he’s doing what anybody in that position would be doing that right now,” Trump said.

He reiterated plans for reciprocal levies as soon as April 2, saying: “What they charge us, we charge them. It’s a big deal.”

He said the process would begin immediately, calling the country a “bad place to be right now” as he announced a halt to all US aid to Pretoria.

Pope Francis marked three weeks battling double pneumonia in hospital on Friday, reported by the Vatican to be “stable” but sounding weak and breathless in his first audio message.

The moves make conditions “much more favorable for our American car manufacturers,” Trump said Thursday.

Trump has floated a proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and displace its people, an idea that has drawn wide condemnation around the world.

“Unless he elected lethal injection or the firing squad, he would die in South Carolina’s ancient electric chair, which would burn and cook him alive,” King said.

Trump said later he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job” as his administration expedites billions of dollars in weapons.

Trump, 78, promised to decentralize education as he campaigned for a return to the White House, saying he would devolve the department’s powers to state governments.

“This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”

“We are not taking this matter lightly,” Mpotjoane said, adding that they will send an official protest letter to Washington.