Sana’a – SABA: Merzah Al-Asal
As the second phase of ceasefire negotiations continues amid significant challenges related to prisoner exchanges and Israeli demands to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure, U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about displacing Gaza’s residents have ignited a wave of global outrage.
Analysts and journalists have criticized these statements, describing them as a reflection of America’s colonial approach, which aligns with Zionist policies against Palestinians. They emphasized that presenting displacement under the guise of a “humanitarian solution” is merely a continuation of ethnic cleansing projects aimed at uprooting Palestinians from their homeland.
Social media users reacted strongly to Trump’s comments on the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sparking widespread debate over the future of the truce and its sustainability.
Trump’s statements regarding U.S. control over Gaza, the forced displacement of its residents, and his vision of transforming it into a "Middle East Riviera" have drawn widespread Arab and international condemnation and shock.
The U.S. president made these remarks on Tuesday after hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Netanyahu hailed the plan, claiming it would “change history.”
Trump proposed his idea during a joint press conference with Netanyahu, leaving journalists in a state of disbelief and shock. Lacking any clear details on how to forcibly remove approximately two million Palestinians or establish control over Gaza, Trump stated that he would make the war-ravaged enclave "an incredible place" by clearing unexploded bombs and rubble while initiating economic redevelopment.
Trump’s remarks triggered an outpouring of condemnation from Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and governments across the world, including Brazil, France, Britain, Germany, and Turkey.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou labeled Trump’s position as “racist and aligned with the extreme Zionist right’s agenda of displacing our people.” He called Trump’s comments a "desperate attempt" to liquidate the Palestinian cause.
In an official statement, Hamas denounced the remarks as "hostile to the Palestinian people and their cause," warning that they would only fuel instability in the region.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived in Jordan on Wednesday to meet with King Abdullah II, strongly rejected “any attempts to seize control of Gaza or forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland.”
King Abdullah II reaffirmed Jordan’s rejection of "any attempts to annex Palestinian territories or expel their residents." A statement from the Royal Court emphasized Jordan’s opposition to settlement expansion and any efforts to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, stressing the importance of ensuring their stability on their land.
France’s Foreign Ministry stated that Gaza’s future lies within a “future Palestinian state” and not under the control of a “third country.”
French government spokesperson Sophie Prima declared that "Trump’s remarks threaten stability and the peace process," adding that "France completely opposes the forced displacement of civilians. We remain committed to our policy: no displacement, a ceasefire, and a path toward peace based on a two-state solution."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed the importance of "allowing Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza," while UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron emphasized that Palestinians "must be able to live and prosper in both Gaza and the West Bank."
Germany dismissed Trump’s proposal outright, affirming that “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned Trump’s plan as "unacceptable and not even worth discussing."
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also criticized Trump’s proposal, calling it "difficult to comprehend," and stressing that Palestinians alone have the right to determine the fate of their land.
Saudi Arabia was quick to respond to Trump’s statements, affirming that it "will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state."
In an official statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry declared, "Riyadh will not cease its efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without this condition and rejects the forced displacement of the Palestinian people."
Trump’s remarks have also provoked outrage among Palestinians on the ground, who reiterated that "Palestinians are deeply rooted in their land and will neither leave nor migrate under any false pretexts or deceptive schemes."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reminded the world that "the forced transfer of people from occupied territories is strictly prohibited under international law," emphasizing that the "right to self-determination must be upheld by all nations."
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called Trump’s plan "shocking and unclear," stressing that "the real implications of such a move must be thoroughly examined."
Analysts described Trump’s statements as reflecting a "racist and aggressive mindset," emphasizing that "Gaza, which has withstood the might of powerful military forces, will not simply vanish at the whim of any U.S. president."
They further warned that Trump’s remarks are not mere political missteps but part of a larger U.S.-Zionist strategy aimed at eliminating the Palestinian cause through forced displacement. This vision, they noted, aligns with the far-right Zionist agenda and includes resettling refugees, dismantling Palestinian camps, and terminating UNRWA’s role.
At a meeting in Cairo, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan unanimously rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians or undermine their rights. They also reaffirmed their support for UNRWA and dismissed any efforts to dismantle it. The ministers welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and emphasized the need for reconstruction efforts that ensure Palestinians remain in their homeland.
Israeli media described the joint press conference between Trump and Netanyahu as "a bombshell event." After an exchange of mutual praise, Trump made "unexpected and shocking declarations that reshaped the conversation about Gaza’s future."
While expectations centered on discussions about the ceasefire and the implementation of its remaining phases, Trump’s remarks instead "threw the entire agreement into uncertainty."
The phrase "Seizing Gaza" dominated American headlines, with Time Magazine calling Trump’s proposal "bizarre and untimely," especially given the delicate state of the ceasefire negotiations.
Time further noted that Trump disregarded the historical complexities of land ownership in the region, emphasizing that territorial disputes lie at the heart of the Middle East conflict.
Meanwhile, CNBC linked Trump’s remarks to his broader pattern of unconventional geopolitical proposals, recalling his past suggestions about annexing Greenland from Denmark, incorporating Canada as the 51st U.S. state, and reclaiming control of the Panama Canal.
CNN described Trump’s statements as a "remarkable assertion by a sitting U.S. president," particularly considering that Trump initially gained political traction by criticizing prolonged American wars in the Middle East and vowing to reinvest resources domestically.
The network predicted that many regional actors would strongly oppose Trump’s proposal, despite his claims of widespread support, noting that Egypt and Jordan have already rejected the idea of absorbing more Palestinian refugees, fearing instability and denying Palestinians their right to return home.
Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, condemned Trump’s remarks, stating: "Forcibly removing all Palestinians from Gaza is tantamount to their destruction as a people. Gaza is their home, and the devastation inflicted upon it is a direct result of Israel’s military actions, often using American-supplied bombs."
U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy reacted on X (formerly Twitter), declaring: "Trump has completely lost his mind. A U.S. invasion of Gaza would result in a massacre of thousands of American soldiers and entangle the Middle East in war for decades. This sounds like a bad joke."
Observers view Trump’s bombshell Gaza proposal as part of a pattern of shock-and-awe statements that have placed him at odds with numerous global powers—whether politically or economically—often forcing him to retract or delay some of his controversial initiatives.
While some believe his proposals are hasty, poorly thought-out, and driven by sheer force, others argue that they are part of a calculated strategy to raise the stakes, allowing him to negotiate from a position of maximum leverage.
This is not the first time Trump has proposed the forced transfer of Palestinians from Gaza. In a previous statement, shortly after assuming office, he suggested relocating them to Jordan and Egypt.
Although his latest proposal has gained some support in Israel, many experts remain skeptical about its feasibility.
Both popular and official reactions worldwide reaffirm that Palestinians, with the backing of Arab nations, will resist any displacement scheme—just as they have defeated similar attempts in the past.
Gaza is not just a geographical location; it is a symbol of Palestinian resilience against all attempts at erasure.
E.M
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