Saeed Abu Elaish, who has lost his wife and two daughters to Israeli airstrikes in the last 15 months, now resides in a tent amid the ruins of his home in northern Gaza. Despite facing immense loss and destruction, he firmly opposes US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to relocate all Palestinians from Gaza, viewing it as an attempt at ethnic cleansing. “We categorically reject and will resist any plans to deport us,” he asserts from the Jabaliya refugee camp. Trump’s suggestion, which has drawn criticism, echoes past displacements experienced by Palestinians during the 1948 war, known as the Nakba.
The idea of forcibly transferring people from their homeland has ignited fear among Palestinians, many of whom have rushed back to their homes post-ceasefire, despite the devastation. Abu Elaish emphasises a deep-seated commitment to their land, stating he would rather live in a rubble-strewn tent than be expelled. Like him, other returnees express unwavering determination to rebuild their lives amidst destruction, highlighting a collective resilience against displacement: “We remain here, even if it means living in the rubble of our homes.” Trump’s comments about creating a “Riviera of the Middle East” from Gaza faced backlash from both local citizens and neighbouring countries, further complicating the region’s future.