Trump's shift on Gaza displacement welcomed by Hamas

Thursday 13 March 2025 - 08:41

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump's shift on Gaza displacement welcomed by Hamas

Hamas has welcomed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s apparent reversal on his controversial proposal to permanently displace more than two million Palestinians from Gaza.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem expressed approval following Trump's remarks on Wednesday, in which he stated, “Nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza,” during a White House meeting with Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheal Martin. “If President Trump’s statements indicate a withdrawal from any plan to displace the people of Gaza, we consider it a positive step,” Qassem said. He also urged that this position be reinforced by compelling Israel to adhere to all ceasefire agreements.

Trump's initial proposal last month, which suggested a U.S. takeover of Gaza and the relocation of its Palestinian population to neighboring countries, sparked widespread condemnation across the Middle East. However, his recent comments coincided with a meeting between Arab foreign ministers and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Qatar, where they discussed Gaza’s reconstruction. The meeting included representatives from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that participants reaffirmed their commitment to the Gaza reconstruction plan endorsed by the Arab League Summit in Cairo on March 4, 2025, and agreed to maintain coordination with the U.S. on the matter.

Additionally, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) officially adopted the Arab League’s reconstruction initiative at an emergency meeting in Saudi Arabia. The plan, spearheaded by Egypt, envisions rebuilding Gaza under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority, countering Trump's previous suggestion of removing the territory’s residents.

Ceasefire Negotiations and Direct U.S.-Hamas Talks

Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza resumed in Qatar on Tuesday, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff attending the discussions. Arab ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and working toward a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

In a notable diplomatic shift, Hamas confirmed direct talks with U.S. officials in Doha. Taher al-Nono, an adviser to Hamas leadership, stated that discussions focused on securing the release of an American-Israeli dual national held in Gaza. These meetings also addressed the phased implementation of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire agreement.

The direct engagement between Hamas and U.S. hostage negotiator Adam Boehler marked a departure from Washington’s long-standing policy of avoiding negotiations with groups it designates as terrorist organizations.

Meanwhile, Hamas negotiators also met with Egyptian mediators to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire, while Israel dispatched its own negotiators to Doha. The 42-day initial phase of the ceasefire expired earlier this month without Israeli agreement on subsequent steps toward a lasting resolution.

As a result, Israel has imposed a strict blockade on Gaza for 12 consecutive days, restricting the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies—a move widely condemned as collective punishment and the “weaponization of humanitarian aid” to pressure Hamas.