US President Donald Trump on Thursday proposed a new plan: the United States should take control of the Gaza Strip and turn it into what he described as a “freedom zone.”
“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good. Make it a freedom zone,” Trump said. “Let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone.”
He added: “I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone.”
Trump claimed that Gaza is no longer livable for its residents. “I have aerial shots where, I mean, there’s practically no building standing,” he said. “It’s not like you’re trying to save something. There’s no building. People are living under the rubble of buildings that collapsed, which is not acceptable.”
His plan has included bold and controversial suggestions. Earlier, he floated the idea of moving nearly 2 million Palestinians out of Gaza, claiming the area could be transformed into a luxury destination, even sharing AI-generated images of himself at a future Gaza resort.
Israeli leaders have expressed support for Trump’s approach, having long pushed for their own control of the enclave. However, many of America’s Middle East allies have criticised the idea. Regional powers have repeatedly refused to take in Palestinian refugees, rejecting any plan that involves resettling them outside of their homeland.
Palestinians themselves remain divided. Some have strongly opposed the idea of abandoning Gaza, calling it their home despite the devastation. However, others, worn down by war and loss, have shown a willingness to consider relocation.
According to recent estimates, around 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been either destroyed or severely damaged since the conflict began. Trump’s comments come as talks for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas have stalled again, despite the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander earlier this week.
“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good. Make it a freedom zone,” Trump said. “Let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone.”
He added: “I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone.”
Trump claimed that Gaza is no longer livable for its residents. “I have aerial shots where, I mean, there’s practically no building standing,” he said. “It’s not like you’re trying to save something. There’s no building. People are living under the rubble of buildings that collapsed, which is not acceptable.”
His plan has included bold and controversial suggestions. Earlier, he floated the idea of moving nearly 2 million Palestinians out of Gaza, claiming the area could be transformed into a luxury destination, even sharing AI-generated images of himself at a future Gaza resort.
Israeli leaders have expressed support for Trump’s approach, having long pushed for their own control of the enclave. However, many of America’s Middle East allies have criticised the idea. Regional powers have repeatedly refused to take in Palestinian refugees, rejecting any plan that involves resettling them outside of their homeland.
Palestinians themselves remain divided. Some have strongly opposed the idea of abandoning Gaza, calling it their home despite the devastation. However, others, worn down by war and loss, have shown a willingness to consider relocation.
According to recent estimates, around 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been either destroyed or severely damaged since the conflict began. Trump’s comments come as talks for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas have stalled again, despite the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander earlier this week.
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