Palestinian militant group Hamas has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s proposal for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians in other countries, regardless of their consent.
The controversial announcement was made during a press conference at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump’s proposal, which lacked detailed plans, suggested removing over two million Palestinians from Gaza, clearing unexploded bombs and rubble, and redeveloping the area into what he described as “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” Trump declared, adding that he had support from unnamed leaders in the Middle East. However, both Egypt and Jordan, mentioned as potential destinations for displaced Palestinians, have firmly rejected the idea.
Hamas swiftly condemned the plan, with spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou calling it a “racist” effort to eliminate the Palestinian cause. “The American racist stance aligns with the Israeli extreme right’s position in displacing our people and eliminating our cause,” he said in a statement.
Netanyahu, standing beside Trump, praised the proposal, calling it a bold plan that could “change history.” He also expressed confidence in ongoing efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia, despite the kingdom stating it would not formalize ties with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The plan has provoked widespread backlash. The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, reaffirmed his people’s commitment to Gaza, declaring, “Our homeland is our homeland.” Palestinians living in Gaza have similarly rejected the proposal, with residents decrying it as an affront to their dignity and history.
For many Palestinians, the proposal evokes memories of the “Nakba” in 1948, when hundreds of thousands were displaced during the creation of Israel. The prospect of forced resettlement has drawn condemnation from Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar, which mediated the recent Gaza ceasefire.
Trump was vague on how the plan would be executed, hinting at the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to one of the world’s most volatile regions. Meanwhile, Netanyahu maintained a hardline stance against Hamas and its allies, vowing to crush the group’s capabilities and secure the return of hostages still held in Gaza.
The Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, has claimed thousands of lives, with Israeli retaliatory strikes causing significant casualties in Gaza. Trump’s proposal now faces widespread opposition from Palestinians and Middle Eastern nations, casting doubt on its feasibility.
