Trump reiterates plan to ‘take’ Gaza, says will turn it into ‘freedom zone’

CAIRO – 15 May 2025: US President Donald Trump has renewed his widely controversial plan to “take” war-battered Gaza during his visit to Qatar as part of a Gulf tour this week.

“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good: make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved, and turn it into just a freedom zone,” Trump said on Thursday, as reported by AFP.

“I’d be proud to have the United States take it and make it a freedom zone.”

Trump’s proposal to “take over” and “own” Gaza to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” was first unveiled in February during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The US leader's plan has drawn global and Arab condemnation, with it suggesting that the US will permanently displace its more than two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan.

Both Egypt and Jordan have repeatedly rejected the plan, while several rights groups have warned that such a move would amount to “ethnic cleansing.”

Later that month, Trump asserted that he does not intend to impose his Gaza takeover proposal.

He described his plan as good but stated he would recommend it rather than impose it.

In response to the US-Israeli schemes to displace Palestinian residents from Gaza, Arab and Muslim leaders approved a $53 billion Egyptian plan for Gaza's reconstruction in March.

The Arab initiative outlines a five-year timeline for post-war Gaza, aiming to secure permanent housing for the two million residents, the majority of whom have been displaced by the war, while allowing all Gazans to remain on their land throughout the process.

The Arab plan has garnered global support, including endorsements from the European Union, Russia, China, and Japan.