Hamas Condemns Trump's Comments on Gaza Refugee Proposal

Hamas officials have strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks about the future of Gaza, accusing him of making "racist" statements and attempting to "eliminate the Palestinian issue." The comments, which reaffirmed Trump’s desire for Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza, sparked outrage among Hamas leaders, who vowed to resist any efforts to displace Palestinians.

Izzat al-Risheq, a senior member of Hamas's political bureau, responded angrily to Trump’s comments, stating on Telegram that Hamas opposes any idea of Palestinians leaving Gaza under the guise of rehabilitation. Al-Risheq condemned Trump's remarks as "racist" and an attempt to erase Palestinian identity and rights. He added that the Palestinian people in Gaza have resisted such plans for years, enduring challenges while remaining rooted in their land.

Another senior Hamas figure, Sami Abu Zuhri, echoed these sentiments in an interview with the Gaza-based Shehab News Agency. Abu Zuhri warned that Trump’s proposal could lead to “chaos and regional tensions” and stressed that the only solution for Gaza is an end to occupation and aggression, not the expulsion of its people.

During a meeting with reporters, Trump made the controversial suggestion that Palestinians in Gaza had “no alternative but to live in a site of destruction.” He implied that, if given an option, Gazans would leave, either individually or as a group. His call for Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinian refugees stirred significant backlash from Palestinian leaders and the Arab world.

In defense of Trump’s comments, U.S. officials clarified that the president was seeking realistic solutions for Gaza, which remains in ruins after years of conflict. Trump’s remarks, however, revived fears among Palestinians of being permanently displaced from their homes.

Trump’s comments also triggered a unified response from several Arab nations. Five Arab foreign ministers, along with a senior Palestinian official, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opposing the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined the Palestinian Authority in rejecting Trump’s idea.