We Will Not Leave': Gazans Reject Displacement As Trump And Netanyahu Meet

‘We Will Not Leave’: Gazans Reject Displacement as Trump and Netanyahu Meet

Palestinians Defy Calls for Relocation

In the northern Gaza Strip, at a school-turned-shelter in Jabalia, Palestinian children sit near water cans, waiting for relief amid ongoing tensions. The latest remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting Gazans should relocate to Egypt or Jordan, have sparked outrage among residents.

Hatem Azzam, a 34-year-old resident of Rafah, dismissed Trump’s proposal, stating, “Trump sees Gaza as disposable, but it is our home.” He criticized Trump’s language about “cleaning out the whole thing,” calling it “delusional” and accusing him of pressuring Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinian migrants.

Both Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected the notion, aligning with the overwhelming sentiment among Gazans and neighboring countries.

As Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepare to meet in Washington, discussions are expected to center on the future of Gaza, a region devastated by over 15 months of war.

“We are deeply rooted in this land,” Azzam asserted. “We will not leave.”

A Deep-Rooted Connection to the Land

Ihab Ahmed, another Rafah resident, echoed this sentiment. “Trump and Netanyahu fail to understand us,” he said. “Even if we must live in tents, we will never abandon our homeland.”

He referenced the 1948 war, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced during Israel’s creation and never allowed to return. “The world must recognize this: we will not repeat history. We will stay.”

Fears of Forced Displacement

In Jabalia, amidst war-ravaged buildings, Raafat Kalob expressed concerns over the Trump-Netanyahu meeting. “This meeting will shape future plans for forced displacement and redrawing the Middle East,” he feared.

Nearby, rows of makeshift tents provided by charities stand in the shadow of war-damaged concrete structures, a testament to the resilience of those who have returned since the ceasefire took effect on January 19.

Despite the uncertainty, some remain hopeful. Majid al-Zebda, a 50-year-old resident, believes Trump will push Netanyahu toward ending the conflict permanently.

The ceasefire initiated a hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, but a long-term peace deal remains uncertain.

Zebda, a father of six who lost his home in the war, remains resolute: “We are the rightful owners of this land. We have always been here and will always be here. The future belongs to us.”