The Palestinian militant group Hamas has called on its supporters worldwide to take up arms in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gazans to neighboring countries.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, issued a statement on Monday, urging sympathizers across the globe to act against what he described as a plan that combines “massacres with starvation.”
“In the face of this sinister plan, anyone who can bear arms, anywhere in the world, must take action,” Abu Zuhri declared. “Do not withhold an explosive, a bullet, a knife, or a stone. Let everyone break their silence.”
The statement comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his support for Trump’s initiative, which initially proposed moving Gaza’s 2.4 million residents to Egypt or Jordan. Netanyahu insisted that after the war, Israel would ensure security in Gaza and facilitate the plan, referring to it as a “voluntary migration” effort.
Trump first floated the proposal in January, but it has been met with overwhelming rejection from Arab nations, the international community, and the Palestinian leadership. Facing backlash, Trump later softened his stance, stating that he was “not forcing” any Palestinians to leave.
Tensions Escalate Amid Renewed Fighting
Israel resumed its intense bombing of Gaza on March 18, followed by a new ground offensive that ended a nearly two-month ceasefire. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 921 people have been killed since the fighting restarted.
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The war, which began after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has so far resulted in over 50,000 deaths in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian authorities.
Meanwhile, Israel has announced the establishment of a special agency to facilitate the “voluntary departure” of Gazans. Defense Minister Israel Katz outlined a plan that includes financial incentives and logistical support for those willing to emigrate.
For Palestinians, however, the proposal evokes memories of the “Nakba” — the mass displacement that accompanied Israel’s creation in 1948. Arab nations have instead proposed an alternative plan that prioritizes Gaza’s reconstruction without displacing its people.
With tensions rising and no clear resolution in sight, the international community remains on edge, watching closely as the situation unfolds.