Trump Again Suggests U.S. Takes Over Gaza, Turn It Into a 'Freedom Zone'

President Donald Trump again suggested the U.S. should take over war-torn Gaza, saying the enclave could be turned into a "freedom zone."

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 said in Qatar on Thursday. "I'd be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone," he added.

It was not immediately clear what Trump meant with his suggestions, but he has previously said he would like for the U.S. to take over Gaza and turn it into the "Riviera of the Middle East."

The comments come as Israel gears up to intensify its operations in Gaza. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it will begin an operation to control the totality of the enclave if no comprehensive agreement is made by the time Trump's Middle East trip ends.

A senior Israeli official said in early May that the army's plan to take over the Gaza Strip also contemplates facilitating voluntary emigration from the enclave.

Speaking to The Times of Israel, the unnamed official said the possibility is particularly aimed at "those concentrated in the south outside of Hamas control."

The official added that the army expects to "retain territory" in Gaza that has been "added to the security zone."

However, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the country will go further and not withdraw from the enclave even if the hostages are returned, calling on compatriots to embrace the word "occupation."

Speaking to local TV networks Channel 12, Smotrich said "we are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip" and "will stop being afraid of the word occupation."

Hamas said it's willing to release all hostages who remain in Gaza in exchange for an end to the war and Israel pulling back its troops. Netanyahu is favoring truces and said he won't end the war until Hamas is no longer in control. The militant group, labeled as a terrorist organization by the U.S., released last week Edan Alexander, the last American-Israeli hostage alive, after negotiations with the Trump administration that bypassed Israel.