Hamas called Trump's statements on Gaza racist and a call for ethnic cleansing

U.S. President Donald Trump's February 11 statements on the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip represent a manifestation of racism and a call for ethnic cleansing. The corresponding opinion was expressed in the Palestinian movement Hamas.

Earlier in the day, the American leader said during a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II that the US would not buy the Palestinian enclave and spend taxpayers' money on it, but it would still be in American possession. In addition, Trump promised the "right" steps on the Gaza Strip and said he expects agreements with the Egyptian side.

"Trump's statements are racist and represent a call for ethnic cleansing to eliminate the Palestinian problem and deny the rights of our people," Hamas said in a statement, the text of which is quoted by RIA Novosti.

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Earlier, on February 9, Trump said that his plan to rebuild housing in the Gaza Strip does not imply that refugees will be able to return to their homeland. He clarified that he meant "building a permanent place of residence for them." According to him, it will be years before it will be possible to live in Gaza again.

Back in late January, Trump announced the possibility of resettling refugees from the Gaza Strip in Egypt and Jordan. The proposal involves the potential relocation of up to 1.5 million people, he clarified. In this way, they would be guaranteed safety, he said. Later, on February 5, during a press conference, he announced Washington's plans to take control of Gaza.

On the same day, The Wall Street Journal learned about Trump's conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the summer of 2024, during which the American leader said it was possible to create "prime real estate" in Gaza.

Egypt or Jordan have repeatedly rejected the idea of accepting large numbers of Palestinian refugees. Palestinian Ambassador to Russian Federation Abdel Hafiz Nofal said the Palestinian side opposes the US president's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Arab countries. Iran called Trump's proposal ethnic cleansing. Also the US president's initiative was criticized by Qatar and Turkey.

The ceasefire regime in the Gaza Strip began to operate in the morning of January 19. At the same time, the Palestinian movement Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The next day, Israel released the first 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal. Hostage exchanges continue.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.