A senior Hamas leader has issued a global call to arms in response to US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate over two million Gazans to neighbouring countries.
In a statement, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri urged supporters worldwide to take action, warning that Trump’s plan—a combination of “massacres and starvation”—must be resisted at all costs.
“Anyone who can bear arms, anywhere in the world, must fight,” he declared, calling for attacks using “explosives, bullets, knives, or even stones.”
The calls comes amid escalating tensions following President Trump’s plan to “take over” Gaza. The proposal envisions the United States assuming control of the Gaza Strip, relocating its Palestinian inhabitants to neighbouring countries, and redeveloping the area into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump suggested that Palestinians would be moved to “beautiful areas” elsewhere in the region while Gaza is reconstructed. “There’s practically no building that’s livable in the whole Gaza Strip. I say we go in, we knock them all down… No more Hamas. There’s nobody there,” he said.
Netanyahu backs Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for Trump’s initiative, describing it as a “remarkable” idea worth exploring. Speaking to his cabinet on Sunday, He said that military pressure on Hamas is yielding results, with “cracks” beginning to emerge in negotiations. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s position that Hamas must lay down its arms and that its leaders would be allowed to leave Gaza as part of a broader plan to ensure security and facilitate voluntary immigration under the Trump plan.
Conversely, the proposal has been met with widespread condemnation from Palestinian leaders and the international community. Hamas officials have labeled Trump’s remarks as a “recipe for creating chaos” in the Middle East. Sami Abu Zuhri said, “We consider it a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region because the people of Gaza will not allow such plans to pass.”
Condemnation from the Arab world
Egypt and Jordan, the countries identified for potential resettlement of Gazans, have firmly rejected the proposal. King Abdullah of Jordan, during talks at the White House, refused to back Trump’s plan, saying that it could have destabilizing effect on the region. Egyptian officials have also expressed concerns, highlighting the potential for increased tension and unrest.
The broader Arab world has echoed these sentiments. Saudi Arabia issued a statement rejecting the idea of forced displacement and reiterated that normalisation of relations with Israel is contingent upon the establishment of a Palestinian state. Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib accused Trump of advocating “ethnic cleansing” with his proposal.
The United Nations has also weighed in, with Secretary-General António Guterres criticising the plan and labeling it as “ethnic cleansing.” He noted the importance of adhering to international law and the rights of displaced populations.
