Palestinian leader denounces Trump’s Gaza plan, insists on two-state solution for peace

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has strongly responded to US President Donald Trump's Gaza initiative, emphasizing that peace and stability in the region can only be achieved through the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, in line with a two-state solution.

“Peace and stability in the region will not be achieved without the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on the basis of a two-state solution,” Abbas stated, Caliber.Az reports referring to Israeli media.

Trump’s remarks came during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where the US President outlined his controversial plan for Gaza. Trump announced that the United States would take control of Gaza, relocate its 1.8 million residents to countries such as Egypt and Jordan, and focus on rebuilding the region. He said, “Hamas must be destroyed,” and added that Gaza had become “a symbol of misery and destruction,” further stating that “life there is terrible.”

Trump continued, emphasizing that those currently in Gaza should not remain in the area, saying, “Those who are now in Gaza should not be in the business of rebuilding that place and should not stay there.”

He suggested that the displaced residents could be relocated to other countries, stating, “We should reach out to countries with a good heart that will provide new places for the people of Gaza to live.” Trump also noted that “all of this can be paid for by the rich countries in the region.” 

He added that the displaced people could not only be sent to Egypt and Jordan but also to other countries, emphasizing that Gaza today is “just a destroyed place” and that in their new homes, the displaced would “be able to live in beautiful safe homes, in harmony and peace.”

When asked whether Trump's Gaza plan would end the concept of a “two-state solution,” Trump responded evasively, saying his intention was to “build a beautiful society in Gaza” and bring “stability to the region.”

In a related development on February 5, Saudi Arabia strongly reaffirmed its stance on the Palestinian issue, stating it would not establish relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. This statement came after Trump’s comments suggesting that Saudi Arabia does not demand a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization with Israel.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry clarified that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had reiterated the kingdom’s position in a “clear and unequivocal manner” that “does not allow for any interpretation under any circumstances.”

The statement added, “Saudi Arabia rejects any attempt to displace Palestinians from their land,” and reaffirmed that the kingdom's position on the Palestinian issue is “non-negotiable.”

By Tamilla Hasanova