Trump Proposes U.S. Takeover of Gaza as “Freedom Zone” Amid Rising Tensions in Region
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated a controversial proposal for the United States to take control of Gaza, transforming the war-ravaged territory into what he described as a “freedom zone.”
Speaking at a business roundtable in Doha, Trump outlined a vision of U.S.-led redevelopment and stabilization, despite escalating conflict and failed ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
“I think I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone,” Trump said. “Let some good things happen, put people in homes where they can be safe, and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with.”
The remarks echoed earlier statements made in January during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, when Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggested relocating its population. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing,” he said at the time.
The idea has drawn both criticism and praise. Netanyahu previously welcomed the proposal, seeing it as aligned with Israel’s strategic goal of neutralizing threats from Gaza. Trump also promoted an AI-generated video showing a rebuilt Gaza with luxury towers and a golden statue of himself–a move that drew mockery from critics and concern from diplomats.
During Thursday’s remarks, Trump condemned the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, calling it “one of the worst days in the history of the world, not only in this region.” He described the assault, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken, as “one of the worst, most atrocious attacks anyone has ever seen.”
“We’re working very hard in Gaza. Gaza has been a territory of death and destruction,” Trump said. “I have aerial shots where, I mean, there’s practically no building standing… People are living under the rubble of buildings that collapsed, which is not acceptable.”
The U.S. president repeated his call for a U.S.-led transformation: “Make it a freedom zone. Let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone,” he said. “I’d be proud to have the United States have it.”
Trump’s comments come as indirect ceasefire negotiations continue in Doha, with U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediators attempting to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas. However, progress has been slow.
In a statement Thursday, Hamas accused Israel of undermining the peace process. “At a time when mediators are exerting intensive efforts to put the negotiation back on the right track, the Zionist occupation responds to those efforts by military pressure on innocent civilians,” the group said. “Netanyahu wants an open-ended war, and he doesn’t care about the fate of his hostages.”
Trump also addressed regional threats beyond Gaza, citing U.S. strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. “We are dealing with Hamas and Iran and the Houthis, and that was I think, very successful,” he said. Despite a ceasefire reached earlier this month halting Houthi attacks on U.S. vessels, the group continues launching missiles at Israel. One missile recently landed near Ben Gurion Airport, prompting foreign airlines to suspend service.
Israel retaliated with strikes that destroyed key Houthi infrastructure. The Houthis have stated they will not halt attacks unless the Gaza war ends.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani criticized Israel’s recent actions, saying they sent “a signal that it is not interested in negotiating a ceasefire.” He also dismissed a U.S.-led humanitarian aid plan and urged that the United Nations be allowed to lead relief efforts.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue. On Tuesday, warplanes targeted an underground bunker beneath the European Hospital, where Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was believed to be hiding. Israel has yet to confirm whether Sinwar, brother of October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar, was killed.
Hamas claims that more than 100 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday and at least 80 on Wednesday. However, these figures remain unverified and do not differentiate between terrorists and civilians. With independent press access severely restricted in Gaza, all reported death tolls are near impossible to confirm.
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