DOHA, Qatar – President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated his proposal for the United States to take control of Gaza Strip, telling business leaders in Qatar the territory should become a “freedom zone” under American administration, despite widespread international criticism calling the plan ethnic cleansing.
“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good: Make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved,” Trump told Qatari officials and business leaders during a roundtable in Doha. “If it’s necessary, I think I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone. Let some good things happen.”
Trump first floated this Gaza proposal in February, suggesting the US would rebuild the Palestinian territory after forcing residents to relocate elsewhere. The plan drew immediate condemnation from Palestinians, Arab nations, and the United Nations, who characterized it as potential ethnic cleansing.
The president pointed to the widespread devastation across Gaza as justification for his proposal. “I’ve seen aerial shots where there’s practically no building standing. It’s not like you’re trying to save something. There are no buildings,” Trump said.
His comments come as Gaza’s health ministry reports nearly 53,000 Palestinians killed since Israel’s offensive began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. Some studies suggest the actual death toll might be significantly higher, with researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimating casualties could be 40% above official figures.
Palestinian officials vehemently reject any plan involving displacement, comparing such ideas to the 1948 “Nakba” when hundreds of thousands were dispossessed during Israel’s creation. Hamas official Basem Naim stated bluntly: “Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian land—it is not real estate for sale on the open market.”
Trump’s vision would represent the largest American Middle East intervention since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously described Trump’s idea as “a bold vision” and acknowledged discussions about potential countries willing to accept relocated Palestinians.
The president’s Gaza comments came during his ongoing Middle East tour, which notably did not include a stop in Israel. His visit coincides with intensified Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, with medics reporting at least 70 Palestinians killed on Thursday alone.
Israel recently approved expanded offensive plans against Hamas that might include seizing the Strip and controlling humanitarian aid distribution. Currently, most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are internally displaced amid dire humanitarian conditions.
Trump’s “freedom zone” proposal has evolved since February, when he initially described the US “taking over” and “leveling out” Gaza to create economic development. In previous comments, he’s suggested turning the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Direct US involvement would significantly deepen Washington’s role in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, potentially putting American forces in harm’s way. Critics note that any such plan would face major legal, diplomatic and military challenges.
The Israeli assault on Gaza began after Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. While some hostages were released during a temporary ceasefire in January, negotiations for remaining captives have stalled.
Trump did not address how his administration would handle Hamas or other Palestinian factions, saying only that Hamas “is going to have to be dealt with.” He also made no mention of Palestinian sovereignty or long-term political solutions.
