Hamas denies Trump’s plan to annex Gaza, saying it might lead to tensions in the region

A Hamas official called Trump’s plan for Gaza “ridiculous” and “absurd,” cautioning that it would inflame tensions in the area.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, quickly called President Trump’s plan for the US to occupy the war-torn Gaza Strip “absurd” and “ridiculous.”

Previously, President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States seize the war-torn Gaza Strip, relocate its Palestinian inhabitants to another location, and turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”

The declaration has drawn strong regional criticism and marks a substantial shift from long-standing US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. It was made during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The United States will occupy the Gaza Strip and carry out its duties there as well. Reminiscent of his real estate development experience, Trump presented the idea with few details on Tuesday, saying, “We’ll develop it, create thousands of jobs, and it’ll be something the entire Middle East can be proud of.”

In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Zuhri cautioned that “any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region, and Trump’s remarks regarding his desire to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd.”

A contentious suggestion for the permanent relocation of Gaza’s approximately two million Palestinians to nearby nations is also included in the plan. Trump called Gaza a “demolition site” even though Israel and Hamas are currently in a truce.

The foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia, a significant US ally, reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to a Palestinian state and vehemently opposed any relocation of Palestinians. This position was confirmed “in a clear and explicit manner” by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, excluding any possibility of a different interpretation.

Trump’s assertions that Saudi Arabia was not calling for a Palestinian homeland were further denied by Riyadh, which reiterated that the establishment of a Palestinian state is still a must for normalizing relations with Israel. The difficulties confronting such diplomatic measures are highlighted by this stance, which is stressed in the context of the US’s ongoing efforts to establish Saudi-Israeli rapprochement.

Given Saudi Arabia’s power in the Middle East and beyond, for Israel, forging relations with the monarchy would be a major win. Trump’s bold plan, meanwhile, runs the danger of escalating unrest in an area already sharply split over the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.