Palestinian militant group Hamas has vehemently denounced President Donald Trump's suggestion for the U.S. to assume control of the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate Palestinians to other nations without their agreement.
This contentious proposal was unveiled during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Trump outlined a vague vision of displacing over two million Palestinians, clearing the area of debris and unexploded ordnance, and transforming it into what he termed “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump said , “The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” claiming backing from unspecified Middle Eastern leaders.
However, both Egypt and Jordan, identified as potential resettlement countries, have categorically rejected the notion.
Hamas quickly condemned the initiative, with spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou labeling it a “racist” attempt to erase the Palestinian cause, saying that the U.S. stance aligns with the extreme right in Israel.
Netanyahu, in support of the proposal, hailed it as a transformative plan while expressing optimism about normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia, despite the kingdom's insistence on establishing a Palestinian state first.
The plan has sparked significant outrage, with the Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, affirming, “Our homeland is our homeland,” and residents of Gaza vocally opposing the proposal as an affront to their identity.
For numerous Palestinians, the proposal brings to mind the "Nakba" of 1948, a period when countless individuals were uprooted during Israel's establishment.
The idea of enforced resettlement has faced backlash from Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar, which played a role in brokering the recent ceasefire in Gaza.
Trump provided limited details on the implementation of the plan, suggesting the potential deployment of U.S. troops to a highly unstable region.
In contrast, Netanyahu has upheld a stringent approach towards Hamas and its affiliates, pledging to dismantle the group's capabilities and ensure the release of hostages still in Gaza.
The Gaza conflict, ignited by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, has resulted in a significant loss of life, with Israeli counterstrikes inflicting heavy casualties in Gaza.
Trump's proposal is now met with considerable resistance from Palestinians and various Middle Eastern countries, raising questions about its viability.