Trump unveils plan to transform Gaza into 'freedom zone'
Speaking on Thursday in Qatar, Donald Trump declared his desire for the United States to "take" the Gaza Strip and transform it into a "freedom zone," AFP reported.
As Israel tightens its siege on the Gaza Strip and continues military attacks on the Palestinian enclave, Donald Trump has proposed a surprising idea. During a press conference in Qatar, where he was visiting, the US president stated his intention for the United States to "take" Gaza and transform it into a "freedom zone."
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 and make it just a freedom zone," said the US president in Qatar, quoted by AFP. Donald Trump expressed that he would feel proud if the United States assumed control of the territory and transformed it into an area of freedom. He also noted that the issue of Gaza remains unresolved and asserted that action would need to be taken against Hamas.
In recent days, the media have reported growing tensions between Israel and the USA, which is pressing for a quick ceasefire.
Israeli Armed Forces intensify actions in the Gaza Strip
Civil defence reported that 82 people died in Israeli attacks on the night from Wednesday to Thursday in the southern Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had conducted an airstrike on a Hamas command centre located under a hospital in Khan Yunis. According to the army, the strike targeted Mohamed Sinwar, the commander of Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. After the initial strike, the area was repeatedly bombarded to prevent access to underground hideouts where Sinwar is believed to be, reported the Times of Israel.
The Qatari station Al-Arabi TV reported that journalist Hasan Samur and 11 members of his family were killed in the night raids. Israel resumed military action on 18 March, after an almost two-month ceasefire, to force Hamas to release hostages and accept conditions for extending the truce.
Hamas expressed readiness for an agreement that would end the war, but Israel rejected these proposals, arguing that they do not guarantee the disarming of Hamas or its removal from power in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government emphasises that the aim is both the release of hostages and the destruction of Hamas.
