Egypt, Hamas, and the PLO welcomed President Trump’s assurance that Palestinians would not be expelled from Gaza, interpreting his comments as a potential backtrack from earlier proposals. The statement was praised by both Egyptian officials and Hamas, marking a significant moment in ongoing peace discussions. Trump’s remarks align with an Arab plan advocating for the reconstruction of Gaza under Palestinian Authority leadership.
On Thursday, Egypt, Hamas, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) expressed their approval of U.S. President Donald Trump’s assurance that Palestinians would not be expelled from Gaza. This declaration raised questions regarding whether it represented a shift from Trump’s prior proposals that suggested displacing Palestinians to neighboring nations.
During a White House briefing, President Trump dismissed queries about the potential expulsion of Palestinians, affirming, “Nobody’s expelling any Palestinians,” in response to inquiries posed by a reporter regarding discussions with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin.
Egypt, currently mediating ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel alongside the United States and Qatar, praised Trump’s remarks. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated that these comments represent a “positive direction” that should be leveraged to further promote peace efforts.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem characterized Trump’s statements as a significant withdrawal from previous U.S. proposals concerning Gaza. He referred to the remarks as “welcome” during an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The proposed U.S. plan has faced widespread rejection, including pushback from American allies. In contrast, an Arab initiative to reconstruct Gaza under the administration of the Palestinian Authority has been introduced as an alternative. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh expressed gratitude for Trump’s assurance that Gaza’s residents would not be compelled to leave their homeland through a message on social media platform X.
This Egyptian-led initiative, supported by the Arab League, has garnered the backing of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, highlighting the arranged solidarity among nations regarding the Gaza situation.
The recent comments by President Trump rejecting the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza have been positively received by Egypt, Hamas, and the PLO. This affirmation is seen as a potential shift from previous U.S. proposals, fostering hope for a renewed peace process. The collective response underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts and solidarity among nations focused on addressing the humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Original Source: www.dailysabah.com
