U.S. President Donald Trump presented a plan for the U.S. to control the Gaza sector and the displacement of Palestinians to other countries depending on their desire to remain, stating that his country "will take" the Gaza sector and turn it into the "Eastern Azure Coast." These statements sparked anger and indignation among Palestinians and worldwide.
"They can do what they want, we will stay on our land. We have only one choice: to live here or die here," Trump emphasized.
Among the debris scattered everywhere, Gaza's streets were again filled with people. The market was alive, traders again set up their stalls on the roads, transport ran alongside pedestrians.
"I slept among the ruins of my destroyed home due to the war and I prefer this to leaving," said 36-year-old Badri Akram. "We do not leave, no matter what the circumstances may be. My house is destroyed, but I can sleep among the ruins. We returned despite the enormous destruction and lack of basic infrastructure, water, and minimal living conditions. We do not leave, even if they deprive us of the simplest goods of life."
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to northern Gaza after a prolonged mass forced displacement due to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. "We returned because we are categorically against displacement," said Ahmed Khalsa, 41, emphasizing that they remain "on their land, the land of our ancestors."
Since they were forced to leave their homes, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to northern Gaza, overcoming prolonged, arduous travel on foot after the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In Tel Aviv, Israelis welcome Trump's proposal. Eliyahu Lizorkin, 22, noted that Trump's plan for Gaza is "very good." "This is our land," he said.
Thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes and villages in 1948 after the war, which Israel calls the "War for Independence," while Palestinians term it "Al-Nakba." "We refuse this. Let’s make everything beautiful. We have been resisting the expulsion for over 76 years... After this, we will continue to resist the expulsion from our lands," emphazised Ahmed al-Manavi, 24. "We resist the refusal of expulsion since 1948. We do not leave. We are the guardians of the soul."
