Hamas says Trump’s ‘absurd’ plan for Gaza resettlement could ‘ignite the region’

Hamas on Wednesday rejected as "absurd" President Donald Trump's plan to relocate Gazans out of the war-torn coastal enclave.

Speaking to reporters alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, Trump proposed that the US take control of Gaza, resettle its Palestinian population elsewhere and transform the enclave, which he described as a "demolition site right now," into a developed hub.

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that "Trump's remarks about his desire to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd, and any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region."

The terrorist group initiated the current brutal war when it led a mass invasion of the northwestern Negev on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 to Gaza, where 79 are still being held. The hostages are being released in stages as part of a ceasefire that came into effect on January 19, the day before Trump was sworn into office for a second term.

On Tuesday, Trump called on Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations to accept Gazans, asserting that Palestinians had no choice but to leave the coastal enclave, which has been devastated by nearly 16 months of war between Israel and Hamas.

While Amman and Cairo have rejected previous calls by Trump for them to accept Gazans, Trump said on Tuesday that "I think Jordan and Egypt will, I know they've spoken about it with you and they say they're not going to accept it. I say they will. But I think that other countries will accept also."

According to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, Jordan's King Abdullah II held a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Tuesday evening. The two leaders stressed "the need to maintain close coordination on regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause."

Also on Tuesday, in remarks following a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi commented on Abdullah's upcoming meeting at the White House with Trump, scheduled for February 11.

"His Majesty is looking forward to meeting President Trump. Jordan & the U.S. are historical partners. Our friendship is solid. Our partnership has done a lot of good for the region & for the world in fighting terrorism & radicalisation and trying to bring about peace and stability," Safadi tweeted.

"President Trump wants to bring peace to the region and we are his partners in this effort. We will do whatever we can to realise this peace & will continue to put solutions on the table."