Hamas Condemns Trump’s Call for U.S. Control of Gaza and Palestinian Displacement
Hamas rejects Trump’s proposal for a U.S. occupation of Gaza and warns that such ideas will further destabilize the region.
Watan-The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Wednesday strongly rejected and condemned remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a U.S. occupation of the Gaza Strip and the displacement of the Palestinian people.
In a statement, Hamas said, “Trump’s statements are hostile toward our people and our cause, and they will not contribute to stability in the region but will instead add fuel to the fire.” The movement added, “The Palestinian people and their resistance forces will not allow any country in the world to occupy our land or impose guardianship over our people.”
Hamas called on the Trump administration to retract these “irresponsible statements,” which it said contradict international law and Palestinian rights. The group also urged Arab, Islamic, and international actors to take a firm stance in support of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Hamas Leaders Respond
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri dismissed Trump’s comments on controlling Gaza as “ridiculous and absurd.”
In remarks to Reuters, Abu Zuhri said, “Trump’s statements about wanting to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd. Any such ideas would ignite the entire region.”
Readiness for Dialogue
Meanwhile, Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Russia’s RIA news agency that the movement is open to communication and talks with the Trump administration, recognizing Washington as a key player in the Middle East.
“In the past, we did not oppose communication with the administration of former U.S. presidents Joe Biden or Donald Trump, or any other American administration. We are open to discussions with all international parties,” Abu Marzouk stated.
It remains unclear when RIA conducted the interview with Abu Marzouk, who was in Moscow on Monday for talks at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Trump’s Statements and the Ongoing War
On Tuesday, Trump pledged that the United States would take control of war-ravaged Gaza, relocate Palestinians elsewhere, and oversee its economic development.
Between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025, with U.S. backing, Israel carried out a genocide in Gaza, resulting in over 158,000 Palestinian casualties, including the dead and wounded—most of whom were children and women—along with more than 14,000 missing persons.
