US president claims ‘no one is expelling Palestinians from Gaza,’ reversing previous statements on removing the population of the war-torn territory.
The statement by the Hamas official came after Trump said on Wednesday that “no one is expelling Palestinians from Gaza” in response to a question during a meeting at the White House with Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
“We welcome this shift from any notion of displacing the people of the Gaza Strip if US President Trump’s statements represent a change,” Qassem stated.
“We urge this position to be strengthened by compelling the Israeli occupation to implement all ceasefire agreements,” he added.
Trump sparked international controversy last month when he proposed a US takeover of Gaza and suggested permanently relocating the Palestinian population to neighboring countries.
Trump’s shift came after Arab foreign ministers met in Qatar on Wednesday to discuss rebuilding efforts for Gaza with the US’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witcoff.
Representatives from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the Palestine Liberation Organization were present, according to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Arab foreign ministers discussed the Gaza reconstruction plan, which was endorsed at the Arab League Summit in Cairo on March 4, 2025,” the ministry stated.
“The ministers agreed with the US envoy to continue consultations and coordination on this plan as the foundation for the rebuilding efforts in the sector,” it added.
On Saturday, the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation endorsed the Arab League’s plan for Gaza at a meeting in Saudi Arabia. This initiative proposed rebuilding the Gaza Strip under future Palestinian Authority administration in response to Trump’s threat of taking control of Gaza and evicting its inhabitants.
Gaza Ceasefire Talks
A new round of talks on a ceasefire in Gaza resumed in Qatar on Tuesday, with Witkoff attending for negotiations.
“The Arab ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, demanding sincere efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, and ensuring the fulfillment of the Palestinian people’s aspirations for freedom and independence,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry statement read.
On Sunday, Taher al-Nono, a political advisor to the Hamas leadership, confirmed direct discussions with Washington in the Qatari capital, focused on the release of a dual American-Israeli national held by the armed group in Gaza.
Al-Nono said the meetings between Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator, Adam Boehler, also addressed the implementation of the phased ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza.
The direct discussions between Boehler and Hamas marked a break from Washington’s long-standing policy of not negotiating with groups it labels as “terrorist organizations.”
A Hamas delegation has also met with Egyptian mediators and confirmed its readiness to negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire with Israel, while Israel sent negotiators to Doha for discussions.
The 42-day first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement ended earlier this month without agreement from Israel on subsequent stages meant to secure a lasting end to the conflict.
Since then, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, entering a 12th day and including the prevention of food, fuel, and medicine from entering the territory, described as collective punishment and Israel’s “weaponization of humanitarian aid” to pressure Hamas.
