TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States President Donald Trump, on Thursday, proposed transforming the Gaza Strip, currently under Israeli siege, into a "freedom zone" under U.S. control. However, the details of the proposal are still unclear.
"I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good, make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone," Trump told reporters in Qatar before continuing his visit to the United Arab Emirates, the last destination in his Gulf tour as quoted by Anadolu.
He emphasized that he would make Gaza a true freedom zone. "Because it seems that Gaza, every time, every 10 years, it happens, and more than that. It really happens all throughout. It never solved the Gaza problem," he said.
Trump added, "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. Put people in homes where they can be safe, and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with," he said.
Trump first floated the idea of the U.S. taking over Gaza in February. The idea has been widely rejected by various countries in the world. However, the U.S. president has sporadically raised this issue over the past three months.
Nevertheless, the term "freedom zone" is Trump's new narrative. In his brief statement this time, he did not explain the meaning or implementation of the concept in detail.
The ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 2023 have killed more than 53,000 Palestinian citizens, most of them are women and children, and destroyed much of the civilian infrastructure.
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