On Thursday, May 16, during a business discussion in Qatar, President Donald Trump again floated the idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza as a means to rebuild the Palestinian territory.
Speaking to Qatari officials and reporters at the roundtable, he stated, “I think I’d be honored for the United States to possess it, acquire it, and transform it… To enable positive developments, ensuring people reside in secure homes, while also addressing the issue of Hamas.”
He added, “I have some excellent concepts for Gaza. The goal is to create a freedom zone, with the involvement of the United States.”
According to CNN, the President further commented: “They have been unable to resolve the Gaza issue, and if you examine it, I have aerial images showing that hardly any buildings remain standing. People are living under the debris of collapsed structures, which is unacceptable and results in significant loss of life. I would like to see it become a freedom zone.”
Trump’s remarks coincide with overnight strikes on the Gazan city of Khan Younis extending into Thursday.
This isn’t the first instance of the President proposing ideas regarding Gaza’s future, which is currently under Hamas’s governance.
In January, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested Jordan and Egypt should accommodate Palestinians, proposing a comprehensive evacuation.
Trump stated, “You’re considering around 1.5 million individuals, and we simply eliminate the entire issue. I’m unsure. Something must occur, as it currently resembles a demolition site.” The proposal triggered disapproval.
During a White House visit in February, Trump reiterated his vision for the war-torn area. “The U.S. will assume control of the Gaza Strip. We will manage it effectively. We will own it and take responsibility for removing all hazardous bombs and other weaponry,” he said.
“We will level it, foster economic growth providing numerous job opportunities and housing for the local population.”
When questioned about the basis for the U.S. undertaking this initiative and whether he envisioned a “permanent occupation,” Trump responded: “I do foresee a long-term ownership role, which I believe would bring considerable stability to that region of the Middle East, and perhaps the entire Middle East.”
Trump continued by saying that it was “not a decision made hastily,” asserting that “everyone I’ve spoken with is enthusiastic about the United States owning that territory.”
Standing alongside Trump, Netanyahu stated that a primary objective for Israel was to “ensure Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again,” suggesting that Trump’s proposition would elevate this objective “to a much greater extent.”
“I believe this warrants our attention,” Netanyahu concluded.
Later in February, an AI-generated video portraying “Trump Gaza” was circulated. The video showcased AI-generated visuals of a golden statue of the U.S. President in Gaza, opulent vehicles, and skyscrapers in a rebuilt Gaza Strip. The clip provoked strong condemnation from critics.