Trump declared his intentions in a press conference yesterday, stating: “We must relocate Palestinians to other countries with a humanitarian interest and establish settlements for 1.8 million people. Whether in 7 to 12 zones or one large region, people will finally live in peace and comfort,” the president said. “I believe Gaza, which has been a symbol of death and destruction for so many years, has been disastrous for everyone who lives there,” he added.
Trump: “The U.S. Will Take Control of Gaza and Rebuild It”
Trump argued that the only reason Palestinians want to return to Gaza is because they have no alternative. “It’s a wasteland,” he stated. “They live in ruins, but instead, they could live in peace.” He then made a dramatic declaration: “The U.S. will take control of Gaza and do the work. We will flatten Gaza, remove the destruction, and develop its economy—we need a new approach.” Netanyahu endorsed the idea, calling it “an original proposal.”
Saudi Arabia Pushes Back: “No Normalization Without a Palestinian State”
Saudi Arabia quickly responded to Trump’s remarks with a rare late-night official statement, firmly rejecting any normalization with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. Additionally, the Saudi government explicitly opposed the proposed forced relocation of Gaza’s population.
Surprising Twist: Hamas Signals Readiness for Talks with Trump Administration
While much of the Arab world condemned Trump’s proposal, a surprising response came from Hamas. Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk told Russian news agency RIA that the organization is open to talks with the Trump administration. “We are ready for discussions and negotiations with Trump’s administration,” said Abu Marzouk. “We never objected to engaging with the Biden administration, Trump, or any other U.S. administration, and we remain open to dialogue with all international players.” Marzouk added that dialogue with Trump has now become a necessity for Hamas, as the U.S. remains a key power in the Middle East.
Hamas Spokesman Denounces Trump’s Plan
On the other hand, Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif Al-Qanou strongly opposed the plan, saying: “The U.S. position aligns with Israel’s far-right agenda of forcing our people to migrate and eliminating our cause.” He added, “We strongly condemn Trump’s declaration of occupying Gaza and expelling our Palestinian people. These hostile statements will destabilize the region and fuel the fire. We will not allow our land to be occupied or our people to be controlled.” The Hamas spokesman urged Trump and his administration to retract the remarks immediately.
Palestinian Authority Rejects Gaza Evacuation Proposal
Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the PLO, also weighed in: “The Palestinian leadership firmly believes that the two-state solution is the only guarantee for security, stability, and peace. We reject all calls for Palestinian displacement.”
According to a report published today by Sky News Arabia, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa is set to meet with his Egyptian counterpart, Mostafa Madbouly, in Cairo to discuss the establishment of a new governance body for Gaza and preparations for the reconstruction phase.
Middle East on Edge as Trump’s Gaza Plan Sparks Global Reactions
With Hamas unexpectedly open to talks and Saudi Arabia drawing a firm line, Trump’s Gaza evacuation proposal has sent ripples through the region. As tensions rise, all eyes are now on whether the U.S. will follow through with its bold plans—or face significant resistance from the international community.
Watch Netanyhu at the White House (English):
