Trump claims Palestinians would ‘love’ to leave Gaza, Hamas slams remarks
Displaced Palestinians run for cover during warning shots fired by the Israeli army as they walk towards Gaza City as they cross the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip, Jan. 27, 2025. (AFP Photo)
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Palestinians would “love” to leave Gaza if given the opportunity, describing the region as a “demolition site.”
“They would love to leave Gaza,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I would think they would be thrilled.”
Trump’s remarks came more than 15 months after Israel’s military launched a major offensive against Gaza.
Meanwhile, Trump is also expected to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a truce with Hamas, urging Netanyahu to honor the deal, parts of which have yet to be finalized.
Trump has previously suggested relocating Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan, but both countries have rejected the proposal. On Tuesday, Egyptian leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a unified Arab stance for achieving peace, according to the Egyptian presidency.
“Well, they may have said that, but a lot of people have said things to me,” Trump said when asked about the rejection.
‘They have no alternative’
Trump dismissed concerns about forcibly displacing Palestinians, stating, “They’re there because they have no alternative. What do they have? It is a big pile of rubble right now. I would think they would be thrilled to do it.”
He added, “I think they’d love to leave Gaza. What is Gaza?”
Trump clarified that he did “not necessarily” support Israelis moving into Gaza but instead emphasized “cleaning it up and doing something with it.”
He acknowledged that Gaza’s situation had been “failed for many decades” and expressed concern that future leaders would face similar challenges.
Trump’s remarks ‘recipe for creating chaos’ in Middle East, says Hamas
In response, a senior Hamas official Tuesday condemned Trump’s remarks as a “recipe for creating chaos” in the region.
“We consider it a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region. Our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass,” Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement.
“What is required is an end to the occupation and aggression against our people, not their expulsion from their land.”
Another senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, criticized Trump’s comments, asserting that Palestinians in Gaza had resisted displacement plans despite heavy bombardment for over 15 months.
“Our people in Gaza have thwarted displacement and deportation plans under bombardment for more than 15 months,” Rishq said. “They are rooted in their land and will not accept any schemes aimed at uprooting them from their homeland.”
