Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 05-02-2025

Hamas has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal regarding Gaza, calling it a “recipe for generating chaos” and asserting that the people of Gaza will not accept displacement.

During a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that Palestinians in Gaza might willingly leave the enclave. He also outlined a vision in which the United States would oversee the territory’s reconstruction, promising economic development and job opportunities. However, his remarks have been widely interpreted as an endorsement of forced displacement, drawing sharp criticism globally.

Reactions from Around the World

Hamas

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior official in Hamas, denounced Trump’s statements as an attempt to expel Palestinians from their homeland.

“Trump’s claims about controlling Gaza are not only absurd but also a potential trigger for further instability in the region,” he said. “Such ideas will not succeed because the people of Gaza will resist any forced expulsion.”

Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif al-Qanou echoed these sentiments, accusing Trump of aligning with Israel’s far-right policies aimed at displacing Palestinians.

Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)

Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the PLO, firmly rejected any plans that involve displacing Palestinians from their homeland.

“The Palestinian leadership upholds the two-state solution as defined by international law and legitimacy, which remains the foundation for peace and stability,” he posted on social media.

Palestinian Representative to the UN

Palestine’s UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, argued that if Palestinians were to be relocated, they should be allowed to return to their original homes within present-day Israel.

“The people of Gaza want to rebuild their own land because that is where they belong,” he asserted.

Middle Eastern Response

Saudi Arabia

Trump’s assertion that Saudi Arabia is not insisting on a Palestinian state was quickly refuted by Riyadh. The Saudi foreign ministry reaffirmed its stance that normalizing relations with Israel hinges on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The ministry also condemned any attempts to displace Palestinians, calling such actions “unacceptable and non-negotiable.”

Turkiye

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized Trump’s remarks, warning that excluding Palestinians from discussions would only exacerbate the conflict.

“If the killing of Palestinians ceases and conditions improve, we may reassess our recent measures against Israel,” he said, referencing Turkiye’s trade restrictions and the recall of its ambassador.

United States

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy expressed alarm, stating, “A U.S. invasion of Gaza would result in massive loss of life among American troops and entangle the region in decades of warfare.”

Senator Chris Van Hollen also condemned the proposal, calling it “ethnic cleansing by another name.” He warned that such a move would strengthen adversaries like Iran and weaken America’s regional allies.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also weighed in, stating, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States. Forcibly expelling Palestinians would be a grave crime against humanity.”

Russia and China

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Israel of attempting to seize control of the West Bank while forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza. “We reject any form of collective punishment,” he stated.

China’s foreign ministry called for a return to the two-state solution, condemning any forced transfers of Gaza’s population and urging all parties to focus on ceasefire and long-term stability.

Australia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution, though he refrained from directly commenting on Trump’s speech. “We have consistently supported a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages,” he stated.

Human Rights Groups

Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International US, strongly opposed Trump’s remarks, stating that forcibly removing Palestinians would amount to erasing their identity and heritage.

“Gaza is their home,” he emphasized. “The devastation we see today is a direct result of Israel’s military actions, often supported by U.S. arms.”

Conclusion

Trump’s proposal has ignited widespread condemnation, with many seeing it as an endorsement of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law. From global leaders to human rights advocates, there is a consensus that any plan to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza will only escalate tensions and prolong the conflict.