A senior Hamas official has called for global armed resistance against Trump’s plan to relocate over two million Gazans to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan. This announcement has intensified tensions amid the ongoing war in Gaza, drawing strong reactions worldwide.
Hamas Official Demands Global Action
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, has issued a global call to arms against what he describes as a sinister plan to combine massacres with starvation. He urged supporters across the world to resist Trump’s proposal by any means necessary.
“In the face of this sinister plan—one that combines massacres with starvation—anyone who can bear arms, anywhere in the world, must take action,” Abu Zuhri stated.
He further urged: “Do not withhold an explosive, a bullet, a knife, or a stone. Let everyone break their silence.”
This declaration follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s endorsement of Trump’s Gaza relocation plan, which has sparked international condemnation. Netanyahu labeled the initiative a “voluntary migration plan” and argued that it would help stabilize the region post-war.
Trump’s Gaza Relocation Plan Sparks Backlash
Trump’s controversial Gaza relocation plan, first proposed in January, has been widely rejected by Arab nations, international governments, and Palestinian leaders. The plan suggests moving Gaza’s population to third-party nations such as Egypt or Jordan, a move that both countries have strongly opposed.
Under immense backlash, Trump later appeared to soften his stance, stating: “Nobody’s expelling any Palestinians.” This remark, made at the White House in mid-March, was welcomed by Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
However, Palestinians remain unconvinced, arguing that any form of forced displacement revives painful memories of the 1948 Nakba, when thousands were expelled during Israel’s creation.
Israel Pushes for ‘Voluntary Departure’
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced in February that a specialized agency would oversee the voluntary departure of Gazans. The initiative promises financial incentives and exit arrangements via sea, air, and land to those willing to leave.
Meanwhile, Israel has resumed intense bombing of Gaza, launching a new ground offensive that ended a nearly two-month ceasefire. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reports that at least 1,001 people have been killed since the latest round of attacks began.
The conflict traces back to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,218 people, according to official Israeli sources. Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has since killed at least 50,357 people in Gaza, with the majority being civilians, according to health authorities in the territory.
As war rages on, Hamas remains steadfast, asserting that while it may consider relinquishing Gaza’s governance, its weapons remain a “red line.” The global call for armed resistance against Trump’s plan adds another volatile dimension to an already explosive situation.