Palestinians react with fury, resignation to Trump’s Gaza displacement plan

Gaza Strip, Deir al-Balah, Palestine – Waseeyaf Abed woke up on Wednesday among displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, to a buzz of hushed conversations. The focus of discussion was US President Donald Trump and his statements about the US “taking over” Gaza. Trump made the comments beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the very man who decided to destroy Gaza in Israel’s war.

The US president even suggested that Palestinians should permanently leave the enclave. While some officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said on Wednesday that any departure would be temporary, Trump’s language evoked the specter of 19th-century colonialism and ethnic cleansing. Waseeyaf, 36, reacted with indifference.

“I didn’t pay it much attention,” she said, as she went to check on her rain-soaked tent. “I don’t even have a phone or any means of following the news,” she added nonchalantly, her exhaustion evident on her weary face. “All I know is that, no matter what happens, my mother and I will never leave Gaza. All we are waiting for now is a way to return to our destroyed home in the north.”

Waseeyaf views Trump’s statements as a form of pressure on the Palestinian people and armed groups in Gaza, including Hamas. “I can tell you that the people here will never accept forced displacement,” she said. “They can endure internal displacement, but forcing them to leave their country, as Trump is suggesting, will not work.”

Imad Kasas, a 60-year-old father of six who was displaced from eastern Deir al-Balah to the city center and now lives in a tent because his house was destroyed, had a clear response to Trump’s statements: “That’s impossible.” He added, “No matter how much destruction, devastation, and killing we suffer in this war, that will never happen.”

“Where would we even go?” he asked. “Even if the border crossings were opened and voluntary immigration was offered, I would never leave, no matter how difficult my circumstances.” Imad believes that no matter how great the temptation of resettlement – be it houses, compensation, or host countries – a person’s ultimate refuge is their homeland. “I lived in Sudan for four years and in Libya for six years in the 1990s. I was born in the United Arab Emirates. But in the end, I returned home,” he said firmly. “Whatever calamities befall us in Gaza, this is our home, and we consider it sacred.”

“Living outside Gaza, even under normal circumstances, is not easy for anyone anywhere in the world. Residency permits, renewals, paperwork – there is always a distinction between a refugee and a resident,” he explained. “Now imagine our situation: displaced, rejected, and forced to leave Gaza. We would undoubtedly be humiliated and subjected to the worst treatment.” “I would rather die here. Even if they cut me and my children into pieces, I will not leave.”

Tears streamed down Imad’s cheeks as he questioned what the world wanted from the Palestinians of Gaza. “We are educated and cultured people. We have the right to live on our land and see it rebuilt. We have merchants, doctors, journalists, engineers – we have lives. Why are we being forced to leave?” Like many displaced Palestinians, Imad believes that Trump’s comments are “part of a larger effort to pressure the people,” especially amid discussions of prisoner exchanges and reconstruction efforts.

“I am willing to wait 100 years for reconstruction if necessary. I will not leave under any circumstances.” In the meantime, Imad still blames Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and neighboring countries for failing to end the war at any cost. “This was all planned a long time ago. The US and Israel have been plotting this for years. All parties should have stopped this plan from the beginning because it is the people who are paying the price.”

Unlike Imad, Khaled Maghbeel, 63, and his wife, Iman, 52, were unresponsive when asked about Trump’s statements. “May God take him,” Iman Maghbeel, 52, muttered, turning her face away. “I haven’t cared about anything since my two daughters and two grandchildren were killed in an Israeli air strike during the war,” she added, her eyes filling with tears.

Iman, along with her husband, Khaled, 63, and their remaining children, fled from the al-Saftawi neighborhood in northern Gaza to Deir al-Balah a year ago and have since been displaced five times. “We don’t have the energy to deal with anything – Trump or his statements,” Khaled said. “The people of Gaza are immersed in grief, sickness, and hardship after the war. They don’t even have the capacity to think about what will happen next.” The couple strongly opposes Trump’s displacement plans. “We already regret leaving the north, even though we were forced to leave at gunpoint. Do they really think we will obey Trump now?”

Iman recalled that during the war, many displaced people around her spoke of leaving Gaza if they had the chance. “But that was just out of desperation,” she said. “Despite everything, the people of Gaza are still clinging to life on this land, even though the whole world is against us for reasons we cannot understand,” she added. “Even if they gave me mansions, millions of dollars, and luxurious homes, I would not leave Gaza – and neither would my sons.”

When asked about the timing of Trump’s statements, Khaled became enraged. “Timing? What timing? We have barely woken up from this war!” he said. “People are still pulling the bodies of their loved ones from the rubble. They are still clearing the rubble from their homes, looking for any sign of life.” “This world has lost all humanity.”

In contrast, Mahmoud Abu Ouda, 23, who runs a small coffee and tea stand in Deir al-Balah, said that he wants to leave the Gaza Strip as soon as possible. “Eventually, Trump will drive us out of Gaza, just like people were forced to move from the north to the south during the war,” Mahmoud said. “If they open the Rafah crossing with Egypt, there will be a mass exodus. I will be the first to leave.”

For Mahmoud, the unbearable pressures of post-war life in Gaza make staying unimaginable. “This is not life. There is no life here. After the war, there is nothing to keep us in this country.” While Mahmoud wants to leave Gaza, he rejects the idea of being forced to leave – but he also sees no other options. “We are always forced,” he said. “We were forced to flee from the north to the south. We endured the war against our will. We endured the bombing against our will. We have never had a choice.”

“If leaving is the solution to our problems, then let us go,” he continued. “If they prepare houses, jobs, and real lives for us, then let us leave and end the story of Gaza.” Mahmoud told Al Jazeera that his views represent a large segment of young people in Gaza who have suffered greatly during the war. “Our future is destroyed. I am responsible for six family members. I cannot finish my university degree. I work all day for meager wages. Our house was bombed. We are displaced.” “Is this the life of someone in their 20s or someone in their 90s?” he asked in despair. “Gaza will never see peace. Gaza is dead,” he is certain that Trump is serious about his threats.

Mahmoud’s friend, Amir Taleb, agrees that life in post-war Gaza has become unbearable, but he opposes forced displacement or trading the right to stay in Gaza for promises of reconstruction and a better life. “Trump’s inflammatory remarks are pushing many of us who once considered leaving to change our minds – just to spite his plans,” said Amir, 24, with a wry smile. “No one with any sense of reason or self-respect would accept this. We are not at the mercy of Trump or anyone else to manipulate us.”

Amir told Al Jazeera that he left Gaza four years ago and emigrated to Belgium, with no intention of returning. “Despite having friends and family there, I couldn’t stay there for more than a year,” he admitted. He returned to Gaza and opened a small clothing store. “Life in exile is difficult, and for us Gazans, returning is never guaranteed. We don’t have the privilege of coming and going as we please. That’s why many people choose to stay, despite everything,” Amir added.

“Arab and Islamic countries must take a stand against Trump’s plans,” Amir said. “This is a psychological and moral war against us in every sense of the word.”