Palestinian militant group Hamas strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians in other countries, regardless of their consent.
The controversial announcement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in a press conference held at the White House. Trump’s proposal lacks detailed plans, suggesting that more than 2 million Palestinians be evacuated from Gaza, remove unexploded bombs and rubble, and redevelop the area into what he calls the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
“The United States will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job for it, too. We will have it,” Trump declared, adding that he has the support of unnamed leaders in the Middle East. But both Egypt and Jordan, known as potential destinations for displaced Palestinians, both firmly rejected the idea.
Hamas quickly condemned the plan, spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou called it a “racist” effort to eliminate the cause of Palestinians. “The racist position in the United States coincides with the position of Israel’s extreme rights in displaced our people and eliminated our cause,” he said in a statement.
Netanyahu stood beside Trump, praising the proposal, saying it was a bold plan that could “change history.” He also expressed confidence in normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia, although the Kingdom said it would not have formal relations with Israel without a Palestinian state.
The plan has sparked a widespread rebound. Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour reiterated his people’s commitment to Gaza, claiming: “Our home is our home.” Palestinians living in Gaza also rejected the proposal, and residents would It condemns as an insult to their dignity and history.
For many Palestinians, the proposal evokes memories of the 1948 “Nakbar” when thousands were displaced when they founded Israel. The prospect of forced resettlement has been condemned by Egypt, Jordan and Qatar, which mediated the recent Gaza ceasefire.
Trump is vague about how the plan will be implemented, suggesting the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to one of the world’s most turbulent regions. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has maintained a tough stance against Hamas and its allies, vowing to crush the organization’s capabilities and ensure the return of the hostages still in Gaza.
The Gaza War was triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, claiming thousands of lives, and Israel’s retaliatory strikes caused major casualties in Gaza. Trump’s proposal now faces widespread opposition from Palestinian and Middle Eastern countries, doubting its feasibility.
