Displaced Palestinians move with their belongings on Salah al-Din road as people make their way from the south to the northern parts of the Gaza Strip, in Nuseirat in central Gaza, on January 29, 2025.
Palestinians Reclaiming Their Gaza Homes Is a Profound Response to Trump's Ethnic Cleansing Threat
Amid all the talk of ethnic cleansing, Palestinians have remained resolute, with extraordinary scenes unfolding in northern Gaza.
Since assuming office, US President Donald Trump has relentlessly urged Egypt, Jordan, and other Muslim-majority countries to resettle Palestinians from Gaza.
Although Palestinians have firmly rejected Trump's proposal, it has continued to dominate the front pages of almost every Israeli newspaper.
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who last year argued that it was "justified and moral" to starve Palestinians in Gaza, has been outspoken in his support of the idea, stating: "After 76 years in which most of Gaza's population was forcibly held in harsh conditions to preserve the aspiration to destroy the State of Israel, the idea of helping them find other places to start a new and better life is a great one."
Yedioth Ahronoth's senior military correspondent, Yossi Yehoshua, has also been a staunch supporter, suggesting: "Perhaps the time has come to adopt Trump's proposal and discuss voluntary exile from Gaza."
On Tuesday, at a joint press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump went a step further and announced the US will be taking over and running Gaza, potentially for the foreseeable future.
Shortly after Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, fears quickly emerged that Israel would execute its undeclared plan to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from the enclave.
Given the high level of support Israel was receiving from its western backers, many of us feared that a similar fate would await Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and, eventually, even those of us living in the lands of historic Palestine seized by Israel in 1948.
There is now a genuine belief that, no matter how dire the situation becomes, the Palestinian people will not disappear
This concern stemmed from a 10-page document issued in October 2023 by Israeli Minister Gila Gamliel's Intelligence Ministry, which proposed forcibly transferring Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
Gamliel's document outlined three alternatives for post-war Gaza, with the option "that will yield positive, long-term strategic results" involving the expulsion of Palestinians to Sinai.
On Saturday, foreign ministers and officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League dismissed Trump's proposal, saying that it would threaten regional stability, spread conflict, and undermine prospects for peace.
"We affirm our rejection of [any attempts] to compromise Palestinians' unalienable rights, whether through settlement activities, or evictions or annexation of land or through vacating the land from its owners," they said in a joint statement.
Even Trump's "favorite dictator," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has voiced dissent, warning that Egyptians would take to the streets to express their disapproval.
Palestinian defiance
Amid all the talk of ethnic cleansing, Palestinians have remained resolute, with extraordinary scenes unfolding in northern Gaza.
Despite the Israeli army flattening entire neighborhoods—destroying residential buildings, health and educational facilities, and critical infrastructure - hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have continued to stream north.
The image of an 80-year-old man walking back to his home in northern Gaza after being displaced in the south evokes memories of the Nakba, when hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes due to Zionist militias and armed gangs.
But this time, the scene and mood are not ones of despair. There is now a genuine belief that, no matter how dire the situation becomes, the Palestinian people will not disappear.
As a result, Israeli media has gone into a complete meltdown, with many lamenting the scenes of Palestinian defiance.
Channel 13's political correspondent, Moriah Asraf, recently expressed: "These images make me shiver all over my body…Something about the Gazans returning to their homes, albeit destroyed, but to their homes - it drives me crazy."
Matan Zuri, a security correspondent for Ynet, wrote: "Thousands of Palestinians have returned to the devastated northern Gaza Strip. The dream of renewed Jewish settlement has faded for the time being…This is the price of ending the war and returning the hostages. We knew it would happen, we saw it coming, and there was no choice but to accept it with submission and stick to the goodness of the deal."
Whatever happens next is anyone's guess, but the image of Palestinians returning to what remains of their bombed-out homes has been the most powerful response yet to Trump's racist and dehumanzing plan.
FINAL DAY! This is urgent.
Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission from the outset was simple. To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It’s never been this bad out there. And it’s never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed and doing some of its best and most important work, the threats we face are intensifying. Right now, with just hours left in our Spring Campaign, we're still falling short of our make-or-break goal. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Can you make a gift right now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? There is no backup plan or rainy day fund. There is only you. —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Since assuming office, US President Donald Trump has relentlessly urged Egypt, Jordan, and other Muslim-majority countries to resettle Palestinians from Gaza.
Although Palestinians have firmly rejected Trump's proposal, it has continued to dominate the front pages of almost every Israeli newspaper.
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who last year argued that it was "justified and moral" to starve Palestinians in Gaza, has been outspoken in his support of the idea, stating: "After 76 years in which most of Gaza's population was forcibly held in harsh conditions to preserve the aspiration to destroy the State of Israel, the idea of helping them find other places to start a new and better life is a great one."
Yedioth Ahronoth's senior military correspondent, Yossi Yehoshua, has also been a staunch supporter, suggesting: "Perhaps the time has come to adopt Trump's proposal and discuss voluntary exile from Gaza."
On Tuesday, at a joint press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump went a step further and announced the US will be taking over and running Gaza, potentially for the foreseeable future.
Shortly after Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, fears quickly emerged that Israel would execute its undeclared plan to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from the enclave.
Given the high level of support Israel was receiving from its western backers, many of us feared that a similar fate would await Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and, eventually, even those of us living in the lands of historic Palestine seized by Israel in 1948.
There is now a genuine belief that, no matter how dire the situation becomes, the Palestinian people will not disappear
This concern stemmed from a 10-page document issued in October 2023 by Israeli Minister Gila Gamliel's Intelligence Ministry, which proposed forcibly transferring Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
Gamliel's document outlined three alternatives for post-war Gaza, with the option "that will yield positive, long-term strategic results" involving the expulsion of Palestinians to Sinai.
On Saturday, foreign ministers and officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League dismissed Trump's proposal, saying that it would threaten regional stability, spread conflict, and undermine prospects for peace.
"We affirm our rejection of [any attempts] to compromise Palestinians' unalienable rights, whether through settlement activities, or evictions or annexation of land or through vacating the land from its owners," they said in a joint statement.
Even Trump's "favorite dictator," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has voiced dissent, warning that Egyptians would take to the streets to express their disapproval.
Palestinian defiance
Amid all the talk of ethnic cleansing, Palestinians have remained resolute, with extraordinary scenes unfolding in northern Gaza.
Despite the Israeli army flattening entire neighborhoods—destroying residential buildings, health and educational facilities, and critical infrastructure - hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have continued to stream north.
The image of an 80-year-old man walking back to his home in northern Gaza after being displaced in the south evokes memories of the Nakba, when hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes due to Zionist militias and armed gangs.
But this time, the scene and mood are not ones of despair. There is now a genuine belief that, no matter how dire the situation becomes, the Palestinian people will not disappear.
As a result, Israeli media has gone into a complete meltdown, with many lamenting the scenes of Palestinian defiance.
Channel 13's political correspondent, Moriah Asraf, recently expressed: "These images make me shiver all over my body…Something about the Gazans returning to their homes, albeit destroyed, but to their homes - it drives me crazy."
Matan Zuri, a security correspondent for Ynet, wrote: "Thousands of Palestinians have returned to the devastated northern Gaza Strip. The dream of renewed Jewish settlement has faded for the time being…This is the price of ending the war and returning the hostages. We knew it would happen, we saw it coming, and there was no choice but to accept it with submission and stick to the goodness of the deal."
Whatever happens next is anyone's guess, but the image of Palestinians returning to what remains of their bombed-out homes has been the most powerful response yet to Trump's racist and dehumanzing plan.
- Opinion | What’s So Dangerous About Trump’s Plan for Ethnically Cleansing Gaza? | Common Dreams ›
- As Israel Pulls Plug on Gaza, Smotrich Says Trump's Ethnic Cleansing Plan 'Taking Shape' | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | What Trump Means When He Calls Anyone Who Disagrees With Him Palestinian | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Why Does the US Press Ignore the Trauma Experienced by Palestinians in Gaza? Racism | Common Dreams ›
- Trump Officials' Gaza Tour Slammed as 'Blatantly Theatrical Display' | Common Dreams ›
Since assuming office, US President Donald Trump has relentlessly urged Egypt, Jordan, and other Muslim-majority countries to resettle Palestinians from Gaza.
Although Palestinians have firmly rejected Trump's proposal, it has continued to dominate the front pages of almost every Israeli newspaper.
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who last year argued that it was "justified and moral" to starve Palestinians in Gaza, has been outspoken in his support of the idea, stating: "After 76 years in which most of Gaza's population was forcibly held in harsh conditions to preserve the aspiration to destroy the State of Israel, the idea of helping them find other places to start a new and better life is a great one."
Yedioth Ahronoth's senior military correspondent, Yossi Yehoshua, has also been a staunch supporter, suggesting: "Perhaps the time has come to adopt Trump's proposal and discuss voluntary exile from Gaza."
On Tuesday, at a joint press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump went a step further and announced the US will be taking over and running Gaza, potentially for the foreseeable future.
Shortly after Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, fears quickly emerged that Israel would execute its undeclared plan to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from the enclave.
Given the high level of support Israel was receiving from its western backers, many of us feared that a similar fate would await Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and, eventually, even those of us living in the lands of historic Palestine seized by Israel in 1948.
There is now a genuine belief that, no matter how dire the situation becomes, the Palestinian people will not disappear
This concern stemmed from a 10-page document issued in October 2023 by Israeli Minister Gila Gamliel's Intelligence Ministry, which proposed forcibly transferring Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
Gamliel's document outlined three alternatives for post-war Gaza, with the option "that will yield positive, long-term strategic results" involving the expulsion of Palestinians to Sinai.
On Saturday, foreign ministers and officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League dismissed Trump's proposal, saying that it would threaten regional stability, spread conflict, and undermine prospects for peace.
"We affirm our rejection of [any attempts] to compromise Palestinians' unalienable rights, whether through settlement activities, or evictions or annexation of land or through vacating the land from its owners," they said in a joint statement.
Even Trump's "favorite dictator," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has voiced dissent, warning that Egyptians would take to the streets to express their disapproval.
Palestinian defiance
Amid all the talk of ethnic cleansing, Palestinians have remained resolute, with extraordinary scenes unfolding in northern Gaza.
Despite the Israeli army flattening entire neighborhoods—destroying residential buildings, health and educational facilities, and critical infrastructure - hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have continued to stream north.
The image of an 80-year-old man walking back to his home in northern Gaza after being displaced in the south evokes memories of the Nakba, when hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes due to Zionist militias and armed gangs.
But this time, the scene and mood are not ones of despair. There is now a genuine belief that, no matter how dire the situation becomes, the Palestinian people will not disappear.
As a result, Israeli media has gone into a complete meltdown, with many lamenting the scenes of Palestinian defiance.
Channel 13's political correspondent, Moriah Asraf, recently expressed: "These images make me shiver all over my body…Something about the Gazans returning to their homes, albeit destroyed, but to their homes - it drives me crazy."
Matan Zuri, a security correspondent for Ynet, wrote: "Thousands of Palestinians have returned to the devastated northern Gaza Strip. The dream of renewed Jewish settlement has faded for the time being…This is the price of ending the war and returning the hostages. We knew it would happen, we saw it coming, and there was no choice but to accept it with submission and stick to the goodness of the deal."
Whatever happens next is anyone's guess, but the image of Palestinians returning to what remains of their bombed-out homes has been the most powerful response yet to Trump's racist and dehumanzing plan.
- Opinion | What’s So Dangerous About Trump’s Plan for Ethnically Cleansing Gaza? | Common Dreams ›
- As Israel Pulls Plug on Gaza, Smotrich Says Trump's Ethnic Cleansing Plan 'Taking Shape' | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | What Trump Means When He Calls Anyone Who Disagrees With Him Palestinian | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Why Does the US Press Ignore the Trauma Experienced by Palestinians in Gaza? Racism | Common Dreams ›
- Trump Officials' Gaza Tour Slammed as 'Blatantly Theatrical Display' | Common Dreams ›