Hamas political chief labels Trump's Gaza takeover strategy as ‘ethnic cleansing’
The U.S. president has declared intentions to seize control of the enclave and resettle its Palestinian residents in other areas. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The US president has made a proposal to take control of the Gaza enclave and relocate its Palestinian population to other Arab nations.
In an exclusive interview with RTN on Friday, Bassem Naim, head of the Hamas political branch, stated that President Donald Trump’s plan to annex Gaza and transfer the Palestinians would be tantamount to “ethnic cleansing” and represent a “crime against humanity.”
During a press conference on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested the idea of the US owning Gaza and restated his earlier proposition to move the Palestinian population out of the enclave, relying on neighboring countries to accommodate them. Trump envisions transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” following the devastation caused by 15 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Naim, who leads the militant group’s political bureau, emphasized that the residents of Gaza should have autonomy over their living arrangements. “We believe that Palestinian people are mature enough to decide for themselves, and they can choose where to live and how to live. This is our land,” he asserted.
He further pointed out that numerous reconstructions of Gaza have been necessary after prior conflicts, noting the persistence of refugees who long to return to the enclave, regardless of its current state of destruction.
Naim condemned Trump’s proposal to deport Palestinians and take over Gaza, labeling it a “war crime.” He underscored, “This is a crime against humanity. This is ethnic cleansing.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that Trump has reached out to Egypt and Jordan and has been “very vocal” about his expectations that these countries will accept Palestinian refugees.
However, both Cairo and Amman have categorically rejected any such initiatives. Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed the country’s opposition to any efforts aimed at displacing Palestinians, as stated by the royal court on Wednesday.
In addition, according to a press release from Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has been in touch with counterparts in other Arab nations to coordinate efforts to “thwart the US proposal of displacing the Palestinian people out of their territories.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
In an exclusive interview with RTN on Friday, Bassem Naim, head of the Hamas political branch, stated that President Donald Trump’s plan to annex Gaza and transfer the Palestinians would be tantamount to “ethnic cleansing” and represent a “crime against humanity.”
During a press conference on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested the idea of the US owning Gaza and restated his earlier proposition to move the Palestinian population out of the enclave, relying on neighboring countries to accommodate them. Trump envisions transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” following the devastation caused by 15 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Naim, who leads the militant group’s political bureau, emphasized that the residents of Gaza should have autonomy over their living arrangements. “We believe that Palestinian people are mature enough to decide for themselves, and they can choose where to live and how to live. This is our land,” he asserted.
He further pointed out that numerous reconstructions of Gaza have been necessary after prior conflicts, noting the persistence of refugees who long to return to the enclave, regardless of its current state of destruction.
Naim condemned Trump’s proposal to deport Palestinians and take over Gaza, labeling it a “war crime.” He underscored, “This is a crime against humanity. This is ethnic cleansing.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that Trump has reached out to Egypt and Jordan and has been “very vocal” about his expectations that these countries will accept Palestinian refugees.
However, both Cairo and Amman have categorically rejected any such initiatives. Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed the country’s opposition to any efforts aimed at displacing Palestinians, as stated by the royal court on Wednesday.
In addition, according to a press release from Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has been in touch with counterparts in other Arab nations to coordinate efforts to “thwart the US proposal of displacing the Palestinian people out of their territories.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
