President Trump has assured that no residents of Gaza will be compelled to depart the region amid reconstruction initiatives tied to the recent peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. Speaking in the Oval Office during a discussion with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, he affirmed, “nobody is going to be forced to leave, no.”
He continued, “It’s just the opposite,” describing the initiative as “This is a great plan, this is a great peace plan, this is a plan that was supported by everybody. No, we’re not looking to do this at all.”
This stance aligns with broader efforts to foster stability, with reports indicating that both Israel and Hamas have conditionally accepted the proposal for a permanent ceasefire as of October 10, 2025. The agreement includes provisions for the release of remaining hostages and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Shifts in Statements and Criticisms
Trump’s current assurances represent a notable shift from his earlier suggestions several months ago, where he proposed that prosperous Arab nations nearby could accommodate Palestinian refugees during the rebuilding of Gaza.
These prior remarks faced backlash from certain groups, who equated them to “ethnic cleansing,” defined as the forced removal of populations from a territory, an act considered a war crime internationally.
In contrast, the 20-point plan, revealed on September 29, explicitly stipulates that “no one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return.”
It further states, “We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza,” while emphasizing that the area “will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.”
The plan also calls for Hamas to commit to peaceful coexistence and disarmament, alongside outlines for post-war governance and reconstruction.
Some observers note similarities to previous proposals under the Biden administration, raising questions about the extent of original contributions.
Security Arrangements and Future Diplomatic Engagements
On Thursday, Trump noted that security measures for the region are still “to be determined,” explaining, “There’s going to be a large group of people determining what it will be,” and highlighting that “A group of people funding it that are – very rich countries are going to be funding it.”
He expressed confidence, stating, “People want to see this work, it’s absolutely going to work.”
Earlier that day, he projected that hostages would be freed early next week, around Monday or Tuesday. Trump also mentioned plans to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt and possibly address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, during a potential Middle East trip over the weekend.
The deal’s progression follows Trump’s October 3, ultimatum to Hamas, with a deadline of October 5, leading to Israel’s Cabinet approval on October 10 for the initial phase, which focuses on ceasefire implementation and next steps for governance.
While Trump has received praise for facilitating the agreement, including speculation about a Nobel Peace Prize—though the 2025 award went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado—analysts emphasize that the coming weeks will better define its long-term impact.
