Trump: Palestinians Will Not Be Able to Return to Gaza Under Plan

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FEB 10

Above: Residents try to live in the tents they set up around the rubble of their houses destroyed in Israeli attacks as Palestinians continue to return to the north despite harsh winter conditions in Gaza City, Gaza on Feb. 10, 2025. Image copyright: Ashraf Amra/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Imagesstory last updated FEB 11

The Facts

US Pres. Donald Trump said in an interview released on Monday that Palestinians would not be able to return to Gaza after being displaced from the enclave under his plan. Trump stated that they would have "much better housing," adding that he was "talking about building a permanent place for them."
Trump has repeated that the US would "own" Gaza, saying in the interview that the strip is a "big real estate site." Arab states have rejected the plan, with Hamas condemning it and warning that tackling the "Palestinian cause with the mentality of a real estate dealer is a recipe for failure."
Separately, Hamas announced on Monday that the next hostage-prisoner exchange, which was scheduled for Saturday, will be postponed "until further notice," citing Israeli violations of the cease-fire agreement. Hamas claimed that Israel had obstructed the flow of humanitarian aid.

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Trump's proposal only emboldens extremists in the Israeli government, thus why the Biden admin. was against such a move. Furthermore, relocating Palestinians from Gaza could destabilize Jordan and Egypt, two critical US allies in the region. As the tensions remain high, it is imperative that the cease-fire holds.

CNN

Pro-Israel narrative

Trump understands that as long as Hamas and other radical Islamist groups remain on Israel's doorstep, there will always be more conflict and misery. Trump's suggestion to relocate the Palestinians is a move of compassion that would both ensure the safety of civilians and Israel's security.

Jns

Pro-Palestine narrative

Only the most ill-informed of people do not recognize that Trump's suggestion equates to the forcible deportation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians — violating fundamental tenets of international law and the Geneva Conventions. Indeed, this was the plan all along, as even the Biden admin. floated the idea of forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza.

Al Jazeera