10 minutes agoWhat's going on in Gaza: Palestinians come back, Trump wants them out
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)Large crowds of Palestinians are returning from the southern section of the Gaza Strip to their homes in the city of Gaza and northern regions, as Israel opened roadblocks and allowed their passage. Most of the displaced are making their way through war - torn areas between Israel and Hamas [...]
Most of the displaced are making the journey on foot, passing through war - torn areas between Israel and Hamas over the past 15 months.
According to Al Jazeera, by this Wednesday, about 500,000 Palestinians have returned to the north. We remember that about one million residents were ordered to evacuate this territory when Israel launched the offensive in October 2023, following Hamas' attack on the Jewish state.
This massive migration occurs as former US President Donald Trump continues to insist on his controversial suggestion of the shift of Palestinians to neighbouring countries, such as Egypt and Jordan.
The Gaza Strip has long been a hell of a drive,” declared Trump from the presidential plane, suggesting Palestinians can be sent to safer and more comfortable areas. He proposed this idea for the first time on Saturday, saying that Jordan and Egypt should accept more displaced as part of a plan to “clear” Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas described this mass return of Palestinians as an act of protest against any attempt to expel them.
In a statement, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou said these developments indicate Israel's failure to realise its military goals and confirm Palestinians' determination not to move.
The return of citizens to Gaza comes during the first phase of the six-week ceasefire, part of a triphase agreement between Israel and Hamas. So far, seven Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for 300 Palestinian prisoners, while humanitarian aid to Gaza has increased significantly. Next release of hostages is expected within this week.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump's team is managing the fragile ceasefire, which was reached in the last days of President Joe Biden's administration. Trump's envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will hold a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week to discuss implementing the agreement and negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire.
Prior to this visit, Witkoff is in Saudi Arabia, where he is holding talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, regarding the situation in Gaza and the possibilities for stability in the region. /euronews
