Egypt, Jordan, Hamas, and the PLO welcomed President Trump’s remarks that “nobody’s expelling any Palestinians” from Gaza, signaling a shift away from earlier proposals for displacement. Meanwhile, discussions on Gaza reconstruction are underway, following meetings with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump’s comments have been seen as a positive step towards peace initiatives.
On Thursday, Egypt, Jordan, Hamas, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) expressed their approval of remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, stating, “nobody’s expelling any Palestinians” from Gaza. This statement brought clarity amidst uncertainty regarding prior proposals that suggested displacing Palestinian residents to neighboring countries.
In Doha, Arab foreign ministers engaged in a meeting with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to deliberate on the reconstruction of Gaza. Qatar’s foreign ministry noted that they discussed a plan initially approved during the Arab League Summit on March 4, 2025, and committed to ongoing consultations to support reconstruction efforts.
Trump, in response to a question from a reporter concerning potential plans to expel Gaza’s Palestinians, affirmed, “Nobody’s expelling any Palestinians.” Egypt, partaking in truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas, acknowledged Trump’s comments and regarded them as a “positive direction” essential for advancing peace initiatives.
Jordan also welcomed Trump’s remarks, emphasizing the need for a just and lasting peace aligned with a two-state solution. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government continues to reject the notion of Palestinian statehood. Trump had initially suggested the idea of displacing Palestinians during a visit with Netanyahu but later retracted, indicating he was “not forcing” such plans.
A spokesperson for Hamas, Hazem Qassem, praised Trump’s comments as a significant concession, remarking, “Trump’s statements regarding not expelling Gaza’s residents are welcome.” Additionally, Hussein al-Sheikh from the PLO acknowledged Trump’s affirmation that Gaza residents need not leave their homeland, highlighting the Arab League’s reconstruction plan backed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which represents the collective voice of the Muslim world.
In conclusion, the remarks made by President Trump regarding the non-expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza have been positively received by various Arab leaders and organizations, facilitating discussions on reconstruction efforts. The ongoing dialogue signifies a potential shift in U.S. policy and presents an opportunity to strengthen peace initiatives in the region. Arab nations are rallying support for rebuilding Gaza under Palestinian Authority governance, departing from previous controversial proposals.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
