Published February 11,2025
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With his Gaza residence destroyed in Israel’s navy offensive, Shaban Shaqaleh was aspiring to take his household on a break to Egypt as soon as the Hamas-Israel ceasefire is firmly in place. He modified his thoughts after Donald Trump introduced plans to resettle Gaza’s Palestinian residents and redevelop the enclave – plans which the U.S. president mentioned on Monday wouldn’t give them the correct to return.
The Tel Al-Hawa neighbourhood in Gaza City, the place dozens of newly constructed multi-storey buildings as soon as stood, is now largely abandoned. There is not any working water or electrical energy and, like most buildings there, Shaqaleh’s house is in ruins.
“We are horrified by the destruction, the repeated displacement and the death, and I wanted to leave so I can secure a safe and better future for my children – until Trump said what he said,” Shaqaleh, 47, informed Reuters by way of a chat app.gbn.
“After Trump’s remarks, (saying) he wanted to own Gaza and depopulate it, I cancelled the idea, I took it off my schedule and my planning. I fear leaving and never being able to come back. This is my homeland,” Shaqaleh additionally mentioned.
Under Trump’s plan, Gaza’s about 2.2 million Palestinians can be resettled and the United States would take management and possession of the devastated coastal enclave, redeveloping it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
“The idea of selling my home or the piece of land I own to foreign companies to leave the homeland and never come back is completely rejected. I am deeply rooted in the soil of my homeland and will always be,” Shaqaleh mentioned.
Shaqaleh is now trying to find shelter in Gaza City.
“I had my first haircut outside my destroyed house this morning, Mr President,” he mentioned.
Any suggestion that Palestinians go away Gaza, which they wish to be a part of an unbiased state, has been anathema to the Palestinian management for generations and neighbouring Arab states have rejected it for the reason that Gaza warfare started in 2023.
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Trump talked powerful on Gaza on Monday after Hamas mentioned it was suspending the discharge of Israeli hostages set out within the ceasefire deal that went into impact on January 19 as a result of it mentioned Israel had violated the phrases. He mentioned the Palestinian resistance group ought to launch all of the hostages it nonetheless holds by noon on Saturday or he would suggest cancelling the ceasefire and “let hell break out.”
“Hell worse than what we have already? Hell worse than killing? The destruction, all the practices and human crimes that have occurred in the Gaza Strip have not happened anywhere else in the world,” mentioned Jomaa Abu Kosh, a Palestinian from Rafah in southern Gaza, standing beside devastated properties.
A Gazan lady, Samira Al-Sabea, accused Israel of blocking help deliveries, a cost denied by Israel, which started its navy offensive in Gaza after the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“We are humiliated, street dogs are living a better life than us,” she mentioned. “And Trump wants to make Gaza hell? This will never happen.”
Some Gazans mentioned Palestinian leaders should discover a answer to their issues.
“We don’t want to leave our country but also need a solution. Our leaders – Hamas, the PA (Palestinian Authority) and other factions – must find a solution,” mentioned a 40-year-old carpenter who gave his title solely as Jehad.
“How are they going to face Trump’s plans, with statements?”
Source: www.anews.com.tr