Egypt, Jordan, Hamas, and the PLO lauded Trump for affirming that Palestinians would not be expelled from Gaza. Concurrently, Arab ministers met with the U.S. envoy to discuss Gaza reconstruction strategies, reinforcing a collaborative approach to peace. The comments signify a potential shift in U.S. policy amidst historical opposition from Israel regarding Palestinian statehood.
Egypt, Jordan, Hamas, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) expressed their support for remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump on the non-expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Trump stated, “nobody’s expelling any Palestinians,” addressing concerns regarding his earlier controversial proposal that suggested relocating Gazans to neighboring countries.
In a subsequent meeting held in Doha, Arab foreign ministers convened with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza. The discussions centered on the Gaza reconstruction plan approved during the Arab League Summit on March 4, 2025, which is intended to serve as a foundational framework for ongoing restoration efforts, as stated by Qatar’s foreign ministry.
The Egyptian foreign ministry acknowledged Trump’s statements as a positive step toward advancing peace efforts, emphasizing collaborative mediation in truce talks between Hamas and Israel. Jordan also endorsed Trump’s remarks, highlighting the need for a just resolution based on a two-state solution, recognizing both Palestinian and Israeli sovereignties.
Despite the broad acceptance of Trump’s clarifications, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government continues to oppose Palestinian statehood. Trump had initially proposed displacing Palestinians during a meeting with Netanyahu earlier this year, but withdrew the plan following pushback from Egypt and Jordan.
Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas, referred to Trump’s latest comments as a notable retreat from the proposal, appreciating the assurance that Gaza’s residents would not be required to leave. Similarly, Hussein al-Sheikh from the PLO reiterated this sentiment on social media, stating the necessity for Gaza’s inhabitants to retain their homeland. The reconstruction initiative, led by Egypt and endorsed by the Arab League, aims to restore the war-torn region under the Palestinian Authority’s oversight.
In summary, the statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump have garnered support from key regional players such as Egypt, Jordan, Hamas, and the PLO. His assurance that Palestinians will not be expelled from Gaza marks a significant shift from earlier proposals. Furthermore, ongoing discussions regarding the reconstruction of Gaza reflect a collaborative effort towards sustainable peace in the region, grounding future initiatives in a two-state solution framework.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
