Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem praised US President Donald Trump’s apparent reversal on permanently displacing over two million Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump announced on Wednesday that “nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza,” a major shift from his previous proposal that shocked the Middle East and beyond.
Qassem responded to Trump’s remarks, “If US President Trump’s statements represent a retreat from any idea of displacing the people of the Gaza Strip, they are welcomed.”
Further, “We call for this position to be reinforced by obligating the Israeli occupation to implement all the terms of the ceasefire agreements.”
Trump initially proposed a US invasion of Gaza and the permanent deportation of its Palestinian residents last month. Arab nations slammed his remarks.
The apparent shift followed diplomatic meetings in Qatar between Arab foreign ministers and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff on Gaza rehabilitation.
Foreign ministers from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the PLO secretary-general attended.
They confirmed that US and Arab governments would maintain conversations and collaboration on Gaza’s restoration.
The 57-member OIC backed the Arab League’s Gaza rehabilitation plan on Saturday.
Egypt’s plan is to restore Gaza under the Palestinian Authority and offer an alternative to Trump’s plan, which could threaten Palestinian statehood.
Hamas praised Trump’s apparent reversal and called for ongoing peace talks. Qatar also hosted new ceasefire negotiations, reflecting regional stability efforts.
Hamas political adviser Taher al-Nono acknowledged that Hamas and the US had engaged unprecedented, direct talks on the release of an American-Israeli dual national jailed in Gaza.
The phased ceasefire deal was discussed at these meetings, which broke with the US policy of not talking with “terrorist organizations.”
Israel’s entire siege of Gaza prevents food, gasoline, and medical from entering despite ceasefire discussions. Critics call the embargo collective punishment, but it has increased pressure on Hamas and is regarded as Israel using humanitarian aid as leverage.
