Trump Says ‘Nobody’s Expelling any Palestinian From Gaza, Hamas welcomes
In a significant clarification of his stance on the future of Gaza, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that his plan does not involve expelling Palestinians from the enclave. This apparent shift comes after weeks of ambiguity surrounding his proposal for Gaza’s post-war management.
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Trump’s Statement in the Oval Office
During a press interaction in the Oval Office alongside Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin, Trump was asked about his earlier proposal, which suggested relocating Gaza’s population of around 2 million people permanently. When a reporter questioned Martin about Trump’s plan to “expel Palestinians out of Gaza,” Trump quickly interjected, saying, “Nobody’s expelling any Palestinians.”
This remark marks the first time Trump has explicitly stated that the relocation of Gazans is not part of his strategy, contradicting concerns that had arisen since he first introduced the idea in early February.
Initial Proposal and Controversy
Trump first floated the idea of relocating Gaza’s population during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House. At that time, he suggested that the Strip’s residents could be moved out permanently, leading to widespread criticism and speculation that such a move would be forced.
When asked whether the relocation would be compulsory, Trump had previously suggested that most Gazans did not wish to stay in the war-ravaged territory. However, his refusal to explicitly state that the relocation would be voluntary had placed him to the right of Netanyahu and other Israeli hardliners, who have maintained that any Palestinian departures would be by choice.
Reaction from Hamas and Arab Leaders
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem welcomed Trump’s clarification, calling it a retreat from what many viewed as an extreme stance. Qassem urged Trump to avoid aligning himself with the “extreme Zionist right” and instead focus on ensuring the rights of Palestinians.
Arab leaders have also been working on their own proposals for Gaza’s future. Egypt recently introduced a plan that was endorsed by the Arab League during a summit in Cairo. The proposal aims to establish governance mechanisms for the Strip without forced displacement of its people.
Implications of Trump’s Statement
While Trump’s latest remark suggests a shift in tone, questions remain about how his administration—if he were to return to power—would handle the future of Gaza. His plan has so far lacked detailed implementation steps, and much of the focus has been on urging U.S. allies in the Arab world to take the lead in shaping Gaza’s governance post-war.
The evolving nature of Trump’s stance indicates that discussions on Gaza’s future are still fluid, with diplomatic negotiations continuing behind the scenes. The coming months will reveal whether his clarification marks a genuine policy adjustment or a strategic move to navigate political pressures.
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