Despite Promises of a ‘Riviera,’ Gaza’s Residents Stand Firm Against Forced Relocation

In Gaza, life is slowly being rebuilt following the devastation of the conflict. Despite a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the region remains deeply uncertain, especially with the added threat of Donald Trump’s controversial plan for Gaza. The former US president proposed that the US “own” Gaza, remove its 2.2 million residents, and develop a “Riviera of the Middle East” in their place. This proposal has sparked anger and resistance among the people of Gaza, who remain resolute in their refusal to leave their homes.

Many Palestinians view Trump’s idea as not only impractical but also disrespectful to their history and struggle. “Who is Trump to decide our fate?” asks Ayat, a 33-year-old mother from Gaza, whose home in the al-Shati refugee camp was destroyed in the bombings. She expresses that the notion of relocating to other countries, such as Egypt or Jordan, is unthinkable. “We do not want to live anywhere else,” she says. “Our homes are rubble, and we are living on top of it.”

Ayat’s belief in the ceasefire holding stems from the fact that all parties, she believes, are exhausted from the prolonged conflict. “Israel does not want the war to continue,” she explains, “they have achieved many goals, including recovering hostages. We have learned patience, and this will ultimately make us the winners here.”

The impact of the war has shaped the resolve of other Gaza residents, like Mohammed Dabbash, a 26-year-old poet and news presenter, who is determined that nothing, not even Trump’s proposal, will force his family or the people of Gaza from their land. “We will not become slaves in Trump’s hands,” Dabbash asserts, refusing to accept the idea of Gaza being turned into a resort.

Children like Aseel Somad, 11, share in the fear that war may return. After walking a long distance to return home, Aseel finds solace in the fact that his house remains intact but fears the future. “We are tired, and we have lost so much,” he says. His words reflect a collective sentiment: Gaza’s residents are unwilling to let go of the land that holds their memories, even in the face of destruction.

For the people of Gaza, Trump’s plan is seen as yet another attempt to erase their existence and history, but they remain steadfast in their determination to rebuild and remain in their homeland. The idea of being relocated or forced to abandon their land is a non-starter for the majority of Gaza’s residents, who find more value in their homes than any foreign promise of a better life elsewhere.