From Qatar, Trump proposes US control of Gaza as 'freedom zone'
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President Trump proposes transforming Gaza into a US-controlled 'freedom zone' during his Qatar visit, amidst escalating violence and stalled negotiations.
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Palestinians walk through rubble along a road beside a clinic destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Thursday, May 15, 2025 (AP)
During his visit to Qatar, US President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial plan to transform Gaza into a US-controlled “freedom zone.” This proposal comes amid escalating Israeli violence and a stalled peace process in the region.
Trump outlined his vision for Gaza as a territory rebuilt under US oversight, aiming to provide alleged safety and economic opportunities for Palestinians. He claimed that US involvement could stabilize the region and create a new chapter of peace.
However, the plan calls for significant changes in governance and control, raising questions about Palestinian sovereignty.
International reactions to Trump's proposal
Arab states and Palestinian leaders swiftly rejected the proposal, slamming it as an infringement on Palestinian rights and an extension of “Israel’s” control.
Critics warned that such a plan could deepen tensions and undermine the prospects for a negotiated peace, stressing that any solution must respect Palestinian self-determination.
Moreover, Trump’s proposal has sparked debate over how best to address both security and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Implications for Middle East peace efforts
Experts are divided on whether the US-led Gaza plot could revive stalled peace negotiations or exacerbate regional instability. The proposal marks a significant shift in US policy, reflecting Trump's transactional approach to Middle East diplomacy, while the international community remains cautious as events unfold.
Previously, the US leader repeatedly suggested that his country should "take over" Gaza, resettle its population elsewhere, and redevelop the area into what he has called "the Riviera of the Middle East."
Trump outlined his vision for Gaza, suggesting that "Israel" hand over control of the besieged territory to the United States after the war. He described Gaza as a "demolition site" and proposed that its Palestinian residents be transferred to other countries, including Jordan and Egypt. He did not rule out the deployment of American troops and vowed to visit Gaza himself.
His proposal, however, was widely denounced as a grave violation of international law. Navi Pillay, chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, condemned the plan, calling it a blatant act of ethnic cleansing.
"Trump is woefully ignorant of international law and the law of occupation. Forcible displacement of an occupied group is an international crime, and amounts to ethnic cleansing," Pillay told Politico.
