Watan-The people of Gaza have strongly rejected and condemned the U.S. plan announced by former President Donald Trump, which proposed their displacement from the Strip. They viewed the plan as interference in their lives and an attempt to force them from their land to satisfy Israel. In response, some suggested that if Trump wanted to solve Israel’s problems, he should host Israelis in the vast lands of the United States, which is much larger than Egypt and Jordan—the two countries Trump reportedly proposed for relocating Palestinians.
Despite the dire conditions in Gaza due to war, internal displacement, and inadequate shelter—whether in damaged homes, makeshift tents, or overcrowded shelters—residents reaffirmed their determination to remain on Palestinian land.
Determination to Stay
Jamal Abdel-Hay, a man in his mid-fifties who has never traveled outside Gaza, said he has no plans to migrate. Even amid the hardships of war, he never considered leaving, and the recent turmoil has only strengthened his resolve to stay. Living in a war-damaged home, he told “My family and I have endured fear, hunger, and displacement multiple times, yet leaving Gaza has never been an option.”
Similarly, Abdel-Rahman Saleh, a young man in his early twenties who has witnessed multiple Israeli wars on Gaza since childhood, echoed these sentiments. He said, “I might travel for a short period, but I will always return to Gaza. Living with my family and parents here is non-negotiable. Leaving permanently is out of the question.”
“America Has More Space for Israelis”
A university student studying business administration in Gaza mocked Trump’s plan, stating, “If he wants to make things easier for Israel, he should relocate the Israelis to his own country.” He argued that moving Israelis out of occupied Palestine would be much easier than displacing Gazans, given the availability of transportation and the vast lands of the U.S., which far exceed the size of Egypt and Jordan.
He also described Trump as “shameless” for interfering in Palestinian affairs, criticizing the displacement plan as a blatant attempt to uproot Palestinians from their land.
Rejecting Forced Migration
Another resident, Ayman Mohsen, dismissed the idea outright, saying, “We will not migrate and abandon our homeland. Who in their right mind would propose such a plan—expelling a country’s people while bringing back an occupying force?”
He stressed that if the U.S. truly wanted to support Palestinians, as Trump claimed, it should pressure Israel to comply with UN resolutions that call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and the restoration of Palestinian rights.
In northern Gaza, residents returning to their war-ravaged neighborhoods shared similar sentiments. Abu Khaled Hamdan recounted how he and his family, on the second day of the ceasefire, walked a long distance from Khan Younis in southern Gaza back to their heavily damaged home in the north. They left the displacement area simply to be near their home, despite its unlivable condition.
“I couldn’t bear staying in a displacement area inside Gaza, away from my home. How do they expect us to move outside Gaza altogether?” he said.
He added, “If this is displacement, and Trump’s plan would keep us displaced forever, then I’d rather stay displaced here in Gaza.”
However, the elderly man expressed concerns about future U.S. and Israeli strategies aimed at pressuring Gazans into leaving. He fears that since war and destruction have failed to force displacement, Israel and the U.S. may resort to economic pressure—deepening hunger, halting reconstruction, and delaying essential infrastructure repairs, such as roads, water, and electricity.
Concerns Over Implementation
Political analyst Ahed Farwana warned that Trump’s statements, along with those of his advisor Steve Witkoff, indicate that the U.S. had an actual implementation plan for displacement.
He pointed out that for years, Israel sought to isolate Gaza from the West Bank and Jerusalem by deepening internal Palestinian divisions. However, after October 7, Israel shifted from isolating Gaza to actively pushing for its depopulation. This was done through mass destruction, making the Strip an uninhabitable wasteland to coerce people into leaving voluntarily after forced displacement efforts failed.
Public Rejection and Protests
In response, large-scale protests erupted across Gaza, rejecting any displacement plan. Demonstrators raised banners amid the rubble of destroyed buildings, affirming their commitment to staying in Palestine and denouncing Trump’s proposal.
Tribal leaders in Gaza also voiced their rejection
Akef Al-Masri, the General Commissioner of Gaza’s Tribes, described Trump’s plan as a continuation of colonial policies aimed at erasing Palestinian identity and rights. He emphasized that no matter the pressure or challenges, the Palestinian people will never abandon their land.
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