Trump proposes U.S. takeover to transform Gaza into "zone of freedom"
Speaking on Thursday in Qatar, Donald Trump announced that he wants the United States to "take over" the Gaza Strip and transform it into a "zone of freedom," AFP reported.
While Israel tightens its siege of the Gaza Strip and continues its military assault on the Palestinian enclave, Donald Trump has presented a surprising idea. During a press conference in Qatar, where he was visiting, the US President stated that he wants the United States to "take over" Gaza and turn it into a "zone of freedom."
Trump wants to take over the Gaza Strip
"I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good. Make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved," said the US President in Qatar, as quoted by AFP.
"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, put people in homes where they can be safe, and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with," Trump emphasized. He added that "the problem of Gaza has never been solved. Hamas will need to be dealt with."
In recent days, the media have reported increasing tensions between Israel and the USA, which is pressing for a quick ceasefire.
Israeli armed forces intensify actions in the Gaza Strip
Civil defense reported that 82 people were killed in Israeli attacks from Wednesday to Thursday in the south of the Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it conducted an airstrike on a Hamas command center located under a hospital in Khan Yunis. According to the army, the strike targeted Mohamed Sinwar, the commander of Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. After the first strike, the area was repeatedly bombed to prevent access to the underground hideouts where Sinwar is believed to be staying, added the Times of Israel portal.
The Qatari station Al-Arabi TV reported that journalist Hasan Samur and 11 members of his family were killed in the overnight raids. Israel resumed military operations on March 18, after nearly a two-month ceasefire, to force Hamas to release the hostages and accept the conditions for extending the truce.
Hamas has expressed readiness for an agreement that would end the conflict. Still, Israel rejected these proposals, arguing that they do not ensure the disarmament of Hamas or its removal from power in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government emphasizes that the goal is both to release the hostages and to dismantle Hamas.
