L’etat, C’est Moi

US President Donald Trump stated that Palestinians would not have the right of return under his proposed plan for Gaza.

When asked by Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier whether Palestinians would be granted this right, Trump responded, “No, they wouldn’t, because they’re going to to have much better housing.” He added, “In other words, I’m talking about building a permanent place for them." pic.twitter.com/D6w8iEXzVh

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 10, 2025

I don’t really think this is all just because Trump is obsessed with Gaza.

More than 40,000 Palestinian refugees have been forcibly displaced by the Israeli military's ongoing assault on the northern West Bank, according to UNRWA.

"Since January 21, the Israeli forces' 'Iron Wall' operation has nearly emptied several refugee camps, making it the… pic.twitter.com/uxykMSBu1T

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 10, 2025

Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

"Look at Hamas' celebrations of the army's withdrawal from the Netzarim axis, which they describe as 'liberating the land again.' All they care about is the land, and it must be taken from them to harm them, show the price of defeat, and deter every enemy anywhere in the world.

And of course, a decisive step must be taken to open the door to encouraging the emigration of the Gaza population, in cooperation with President Trump, who understands very well the roots of the conflict and the only realistic solution. Only in this way can we do everything, everything, in order to free all the prisoners and eliminate the threat of Hamas from a position of strength.

Mr. Prime Minister, this plan must be presented for approval to the cabinet as soon as possible, in order to prepare for an immediate operation once the first stage of the deal is completed. This is the only realistic way to force Hamas to surrender and raise the white flag." pic.twitter.com/hQC46u5wYe

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 10, 2025

And a slight detour to remind everyone Trump terrified Hamas into the hostage releases (not months of delicate negotiations between Biden, Israel, and Hamas):

‘Expel Hamas leaders, dismantle resistance’: Netanyahu sets terms for phase two of Gaza dealhttps://t.co/79jQLR1QtF

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 10, 2025

BREAKING | Hamas’s Qassam Brigades spokesman, Abu Obeida, announces that the release of the next 3 Israeli captives, originally scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice due to Israel's ceasefire violations: delaying the return of displaced civilians to northern Gaza, ongoing shelling and gunfire, and failure to deliver promised relief supplies. pic.twitter.com/8edzcWBB17

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 10, 2025

Israeli War Minister Israel Katz:

○ "Hamas's announcement to stop releasing Israeli hostages is a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal to release the hostages."

○ "I instructed the Israeli military to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the [border] communities. We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7th." pic.twitter.com/QHxuJx0MBc

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 10, 2025

Donald Trump says that "all hell is going to break out" if Hamas doesn't release the hostages by 12:00 on Saturday.

We already know him and Netanyahu are planning on entirely leveling Gaza. Vile man. pic.twitter.com/7giDhQvx33

— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) February 10, 2025

Hamas doesn’t appear to be worried.

Hamas:

"The Hamas movement confirms its commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the Zionist occupation is committed to them.

Hamas has implemented all its obligations accurately and on time.

The occupation did not abide by the terms of the agreement, and carried out many violations, which included:

1. Delaying the return of displaced persons to the northern Gaza Strip.

2. Targeting our people with shelling and shooting, killing many of them in various areas of the Gaza Strip.

3. Obstructing the entry of shelter requirements such as tents, mobile homes, fuel, and equipment for removing rubble and retrieving bodies.

4. Delaying the entry of the medicines and supplies needed by hospitals to renovate hospitals and the health sector.

Hamas counted the occupation's violations and provided them to the mediators as they happened, but the occupation continued its violations.

Hamas calls for strict adherence to the agreement, and not subjecting it to selectivity, by presenting the less important and delaying and obstructing the more urgent and important.

Postponing the release of prisoners is a warning message to the occupation, and to pressure for strict adherence to the terms of the agreement.

Hamas deliberately made this announcement five full days before the date of handing over the prisoners, in order to give the mediators sufficient opportunity to pressure the occupation to implement its obligations, and to keep the door open to implement the exchange on time if the occupation adheres to its obligations.

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 10, 2025

Back to Gaza proper: Trump seems to think being POTUS makes him Real Estate Developer-in-Chief. He told Baier:

"We'll build beautiful communities for the 1.9 million people," Trump said. "We'll build beautiful communities, safe communities. Could be five, six, could be two, but we'll build safe communities a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is. In the meantime, I would own this. Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land, no big money spent."

Communities for 1.9 million people? Sure, how hard can it be, how long can it take? Those 2 million will just get out of the way, right? Or Jordan or Egypt have a guest room, right? Because the Palestinians are not going back to Gaza, are they?

"No, they wouldn’t," Trump said. "Because they’re going to have much better housing, much better – in other words, I’m talking about building a permanent place for them because if they have to return now it would be years before you could ever – it's not habitable. It'll be years before it can happen. I'm talking about starting to build, and I think I could make a deal with Jordan. I think I could make a deal with Egypt. We give them billions and billions of dollars a year."

Yup, they ain’t comin’ back, in Trump’s version. But please don’t call it “ethnic cleansing.” It’s just forcibly removing them to another place which will be better for them…someday. Probably. Definitely not something that’s ever happened in the history of America. Definitely not. Don’t say it is. 

And Trump is going to do this himself, and Egypt and Jordan will agree to take refugees (“Don’t use that word!”), because “we” “give them billions and billions of dollars a year.” “We” did that, so they owe Trump.

In other words the United States and Egypt and Jordan will do this for Trump because….

I’m also sure this is all entirely independent of Netanyahu. Because I’m as stupid as an American journalist. 🤪