Palestinians in Gaza Condemn Trump’s Takeover Proposal

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But while some Palestinians rejected leaving Gaza, others said conditions were so unlivable after 15 months of Israeli bombardment that they would consider relocating.

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In Gaza and Jerusalem, People React to Trump’s Proposal for Palestinians

A day after President Trump proposed that the United States take over Gaza, many Palestinians said they were committed to staying in the enclave despite the widespread devastation. In Jerusalem, some residents reacted with surprise and enthusiasm to the proposal.

I am delighted and excited. And have hope that what he says is true. If America takes over Aza (Gaza), that will really, really be something spectacular, and the Middle East will calm down. I think the Middle East will calm down. I think we’ll be able to have stuff with Saudi Arabia. Most important thing to all of us is to get the hostages back. I think that’s an ideal, because Aza is not helping anybody. The people from Aza, they’re suffering. We’re suffering and the world is suffering. And I think he’s got the right idea. How to implement it is a different story. But if anybody can do it, it’ll be Trump.

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A day after President Trump proposed that the United States take over Gaza, many Palestinians said they were committed to staying in the enclave despite the widespread devastation. In Jerusalem, some residents reacted with surprise and enthusiasm to the proposal.CreditCredit…Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock

Adam Rasgon

Palestinians in Gaza expressed a mixture of condemnation and confusion on Wednesday over President Trump’s declaration that the United States should seize control of the devastated coastal territory and forcibly displace its entire population.

A number of Gazans said they found Mr. Trump’s comments reprehensible, noting they were in harmony with plans presented by far-right members of Israel’s governing coalition. But while some rejected leaving Gaza under any circumstances, others said conditions were so unlivable after 15 months of Israeli bombardment that they would consider relocating.

“I need to stay in my land. My life, my family, and my memories are here,” said Mohammed Fares, 24, a resident of Gaza City who was displaced to the southern city of Khan Younis. “I have something in Gaza I can’t get anywhere else. I’ll stay, even through hell.”

Mr. Fares said he was staying at a relatives’ home in Khan Younis because his family’s home in Gaza City was in tatters and because there was little water available there.

About two million Palestinians remain in Gaza after a war that has reduced cities to rubble and killed tens of thousands of people. Israel waged a war against Hamas after the armed Palestinian group led the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people.

Mr. Trump said that all Palestinians in Gaza should be moved to neighboring Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan because of the devastation wrought by the war.


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