President Trump Advocates Relocation of Palestinians to Safe Locations Where They 'Can Be Happy'

In a significant statement on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, endorsed the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to areas they could live free from violence. The announcement came during a press meeting at the White House prior to their detailed discussions.

President Trump explained that his team is exploring relocation possibilities with regional partners such as Jordan and Egypt. "We are looking to permanently settle people in nice homes where they can be happy, where they aren’t shot at or killed," Trump stated, presenting a vision of safe habitation for the Gaza residents.

The proposal has ignited immediate backlash from Palestinian and Arab leaders, questioning the viability and intentions behind Trump’s relocation plans. "I don’t see why they [Palestinians] would want to stay there," Trump remarked when pressed about potential opposition, further noting, "They wouldn’t want to go back to Gaza."

Hamas, deemed a terrorist organization by the United States, vehemently opposed Trump's statements. Senior Hamas official Sammi Abu Zuhri criticized the relocation idea as "a recipe for creating chaos" in the Middle East, arguing it could intensify tensions rather than resolve them. "What is truly needed is an end to the occupation and aggression against our people, not their displacement from their land," Abu Zuhri asserted.

In parallel, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Whitkoff, noted concerns about Gaza's viability as a livable environment in the coming years, casting doubt on the sustainability of the third phase of the ceasefire agreement, which aims to rehabilitate Gaza over five years.

Trump also voiced dissatisfaction with the United Nations, citing its "great potential" yet critiquing its collective action. Following his critique, Trump outlined U.S. decisions to halt engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, suspend funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and respond to the activities of UNESCO.

"The UN has great potential, and based on that potential, we will continue to work with them, but they need to act together," Trump said, expressing frustration over the perceived inefficacy in managing and resolving conflicts.

As discussions between Israel and Hamas continue, Jerusalem announced an upcoming Israeli delegation trip to Qatar, a mediator in the negotiations alongside the U.S. and Egypt, aimed at discussing the continuation of the ceasefire. Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, the first foreign leader hosted since Trump’s return to office on January 20, underscores the enduring alliance between Israel and the U.S.