There has been widespread denouncement of US President Donald Trump’s plan for US to take over the Gaza Strip
Hamas spokesperson, Abdel Latif al-Qanou called Trump’s proposal “racist” and aimed at eliminating the Palestinian cause.
Later, Hamas said in a statement that the proposal “aiming for the United States to occupy the Gaza Strip” was “aggressive to our people and cause, won’t serve stability in the region and will only put oil on the fire.”
The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) said that it rejected any plan involving the displacement of Palestinians.
Secretary-General, Hussein al-Sheikh, said that the PLO “affirms its rejection of all calls for the displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland” and renews its support for a two-state solution
Turkey’s top diplomat, Hakan Fidan criticised Trump’s proposal. He called it an “unacceptable issue,” stating that relocating Palestinians from Gaza was something “neither we nor the region can accept.” “It is wrong to even bring it up for discussion,” he added
Also, China asserted that it was opposed to the “forced transfer” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
When asked about Trump’s plan at a regular press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said that China has always maintained that Palestinian rule over Palestinians is the “basic principle of the postwar governance of Gaza, and we are opposed to the forced transfer of the residents of Gaza.”
Additionally, German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, stressed that the Gaza Strip belongs to Palestinians and their expulsion would be unacceptable and contrary to international law.
“The civilian population of Gaza must not be expelled and Gaza must not be permanently occupied or repopulated. It is clear that Gaza – like the West Bank and East Jerusalem – belongs to the Palestinians. They form the basis for a future Palestinian state.
“It would also lead to new suffering and new hatred. There must be no solution over the heads of the Palestinians.”
Annalena Baerbock
In a social media post, John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister condemned President Trump’s plans for Gaza.
“After months of collective punishment and the death of over 40,000 in Gaza, any suggestion Palestinians should be removed from their home is unacceptable and dangerous.
“There must be no ethnic cleansing. Only a proper two state solution will bring lasting peace.”
John Swinney
Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s former First Minister, whose parents-in-law were trapped in Gaza for a number of weeks in 2023 after the 7 October Hamas massacre triggered war, also decried Trump’s plan in a social media post.
“Why is it a living hell? Who bombed it, killing tens of thousands of people, including children, and reduced Gaza to rubble?
“Also, what Trump calls ‘permanent resettlement’ is what the rest of the world should call ethnic cleansing. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza. Period.”
Humza Yousaf
Signals Of Support For Trump’s Gaza Takeover Plan
Despite the widespread criticism, some Israeli officials and US officials indicated support fot Trump’s plan.
Far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, who resigned as Netanyahu’s national security minister last month in objection to the Gaza ceasefire deal, was pleased about the US president’s comments.
He wrote in a rare English post on X, “Donald, this looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
In a separate post in Hebrew, Ben-Gvir said that Trump is now touting a plan he has been proudly backing to “encourage migration” of Palestinians from Gaza.
“When I said time and time again during the war that this was the solution to Gaza, they mocked me. Now it is clear: this is the only solution, this is the strategy for the ‘day after’. I call on the prime minister to announce adoption of the plan as soon as possible and to begin immediate practical progress.”
Itamar Ben-Gvir
Republican Mike Johnson said that he is “hopeful” the Trump’s plan will bring “much needed stability and security to the region.” “Today, President Trump took bold action in hopes of achieving lasting peace in Gaza,” Johnson said.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio also signalled his support for the controversial proposal, saying in an X post, “Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas.”
He stated that the United States stands ready to lead and “Make Gaza Beautiful Again,” adding, “Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people.”
