Hamas Welcomes President Donald Trump’s Decision Not to Displace Palestinians from Gaza
March 13, 2025 – Hamas has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision not to permanently relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated in a statement, "If President Trump’s recent remarks indicate a retreat from the plan to displace the people of Gaza, then this is certainly a positive step."
On Wednesday, during a meeting at the White House with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump said, "No one is being expelled from Gaza." Welcoming this announcement, Hamas urged Israel to be compelled to implement all terms of the ceasefire agreement.
U.S. Involvement and Arab Diplomatic Efforts
Last month, Trump proposed placing Gaza under U.S. administration and relocating its Palestinian residents to neighboring countries, a plan that sparked global criticism. However, following a meeting in Qatar, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in discussions with Arab foreign ministers to reach a consensus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
According to a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting was attended by Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Arab League’s Gaza reconstruction plan, which was approved at the March 4 summit in Cairo, was discussed during this meeting.
OIC and Egypt-Led Gaza Reconstruction Initiative
On Saturday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), comprising 57 member states, formally adopted the Arab League’s reconstruction plan for Gaza in an emergency meeting. Led by Egypt, the plan envisions rebuilding Gaza under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority, countering Trump’s earlier proposal to take control of the territory.
Ceasefire Talks in Gaza and Direct U.S.-Hamas Dialogue
New ceasefire negotiations have begun in Qatar, where U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived for talks. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The Arab foreign ministers emphasized the importance of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring Palestinian people's right to self-determination based on a two-state solution."
Meanwhile, Hamas political adviser Taher al-Nono confirmed that direct talks between Hamas and the U.S. have taken place in Qatar, marking an unprecedented move in U.S. diplomacy. Discussions covered not only the release of an American-Israeli dual citizen held captive by Hamas but also the phased implementation of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
What Lies Ahead?
Whether these U.S.-Hamas talks pave the way for peace in Gaza or escalate tensions further depends on the upcoming ceasefire negotiations. If Israel and Hamas fail to reach a new agreement, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is expected to worsen significantly.
