Trump reiterates controversial proposal for U.S. Gaza takeover again, nothing left to save

President Donald Trump has renewed his controversial proposal for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip, telling a business roundtable in Qatar that the territory could be transformed into a “freedom zone,” arguing that little remains to salvage following months of devastating conflict.

Trump initially floated the idea in February, suggesting the U.S. would redevelop Gaza and relocate Palestinians elsewhere. The plan was widely condemned, with Palestinians, Arab governments, and the United Nations warning it would amount to ethnic cleansing.

Currently, most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are internally displaced amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign, launched after the October 2023 Hamas attack. The assault has resulted in nearly 53,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction across the enclave.

Speaking in Qatar—a nation that has long hosted Hamas’ political leadership—Trump said, “I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good: Make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved.” He added that aerial images of the region showed extensive devastation. “There’s practically no building standing. It’s not like you’re trying to save something... People are living under the rubble, which is not acceptable.”

Trump reiterated his ambition to see Gaza transformed: “I want to see that [Gaza] be a freedom zone. And if necessary, I’d be proud to have the United States take it, make it a freedom zone. Let some good things happen.” He has previously described his vision of Gaza as becoming the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Palestinians have firmly rejected proposals that involve leaving Gaza, likening such plans to the 1948 Nakba, or “catastrophe,” when hundreds of thousands were forcibly displaced during the establishment of Israel. Many have said they would prefer to remain—even in ruins—rather than be forced out.

Reacting to Trump’s comments, Hamas official Basem Naim acknowledged the former president’s political influence, suggesting he could play a role in ending the war and advancing Palestinian statehood. However, Naim stressed, “Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian land—it is not real estate for sale on the open market.”

Direct U.S. involvement in Gaza would mark a significant escalation in America’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and could represent its most substantial Middle East intervention since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Many in the U.S. remain wary of deeper foreign military commitments.

Meanwhile, Israel has approved expanded military operations against Hamas, including possible control of the territory and its aid infrastructure. On Thursday alone, at least 70 Palestinians were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to medical sources.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal as “a bold vision,” and confirmed discussions with the former U.S. president about identifying countries that might accept Palestinians who leave Gaza.