Trump’s Gaza plan sparks outrage: Hamas calls for Arab Summit, global leaders condemn forced displacement

US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to take over Gaza and temporarily relocate its residents has ignited a global firestorm. Facing condemnation from Palestinian leaders, Arab nations, and human rights groups, the plan has also drawn warnings from the United Nations of potential ethnic cleansing.

Hamas Calls for Urgent Arab Summit

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem described Trump’s plan as a "declaration of intent to occupy" Gaza, calling for an emergency Arab summit to confront what he labeled a "displacement project." In a statement issued Thursday, Qassem said the proposal would forcibly remove over two million Palestinians from their homeland.

Global Leaders Sound the Alarm

The plan, announced during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, envisions the United States taking control of Gaza, a move Trump touted as a “job well done.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that any relocation would be temporary and described the initiative as a “generous offer” to rebuild Gaza. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that US involvement would exclude both military deployment and funding for reconstruction.

The United Nations swiftly condemned the plan. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that forced displacement constitutes ethnic cleansing, while rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, said the proposal marks a transition from complicity in war crimes to active participation. Iranian officials denounced the plan as "shocking" and part of a broader strategy to erase Palestinian identity.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a joint statement labeling the plan a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.

Widespread Humanitarian Impact

Israel’s ongoing military offensive has already devastated Gaza, leaving schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure in ruins. More than 47,000 Gazans have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023, according to Hamas-run health officials.

Hamas and Palestinian residents have vowed to resist displacement. "They can do whatever they want, but we will remain steadfast in our homeland," said Gaza resident Ahmed Halasa.

Mixed Reactions from Israel

Netanyahu, calling Trump Israel’s “greatest friend,” praised the plan as “remarkable” and a fresh approach to resolving the conflict. However, he also suggested that any displacement would be temporary, emphasizing the need to rebuild Gaza before allowing Palestinians to return.

Critics Warn of Escalation

Critics argue that the plan’s lack of specifics risks escalating an already volatile situation. Lama Fakih, regional director of Human Rights Watch, stated, “Trump’s proposed plan would move the US from being complicit in war crimes to direct perpetration of atrocities.”

As global outrage mounts, Trump remains steadfast, claiming widespread support for the initiative. However, with Arab leaders uniting in opposition and international institutions issuing stark warnings, the plan’s future remains uncertain.

(Sources: Danny Kemp, with AFP teams in Gaza City and Adel Zaanoun in Cairo)