After previously calling for the evacuation of residents from Gaza, U.S. President Donald Trump has now spoken in a slightly different tone. He has expressed interest in discussing a two-state solution to resolve the Palestine crisis. Trump stated that he would soon discuss the two-state solution with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On Monday, while traveling aboard Air Force One, the U.S. presidential aircraft, Trump spoke to reporters. During the conversation, the topic of Gaza was brought up. Trump described Gaza as having turned into “hell” over many years. He stated that he wants the Palestinians to live in an area where they can lead a life free of “obstacles, war, and conflict.”
Does the U.S. President Support a Two-State Solution-
In response to the question of whether the U.S. President supports a two-state solution, Donald Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would soon visit Washington. Trump mentioned that he plans to discuss the two-state solution with Netanyahu during the visit. According to a report by the Times of Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister is expected to visit the U.S. next Sunday.
Amid the current situation, Qatar has also spoken in favor of a two-state solution. On Tuesday, Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters, “Our stance on the necessity of Palestinian rights has always been clear. The only solution to the Palestine crisis is the two-state solution.”
Previously, Trump had suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries. However, this proposal was rejected by Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Despite this, Trump again brought up the idea of relocating Gaza’s residents to Egypt and Jordan during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday.
300,000 People Return to Northern Gaza
Following the start of the ceasefire in Gaza, Palestinians have begun returning to their homes in the region. According to information provided by Hamas, over 300,000 people returned to northern Gaza from the southern and central parts on Monday. Previously, Israel had closed the route to the north for two days due to disputes over hostage releases but reopened it on Monday.
After the route was reopened, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians began their journey toward northern Gaza. Most of them are traveling on foot along the 20-kilometer coastal route. For instance, Jamil Abed is traveling north with his parents and brother. Amid the crowd, he briefly lost track of his family. Speaking to Reuters, Abed said, “Private cars, tuk-tuks, donkey carts—there’s nothing to take us.”
Returning to Ruins in Northern Gaza
The journey back to northern Gaza is fraught with hardship, but the real devastation awaits upon arrival. Palestinians returning to the north find little more than rubble. Their homes have been reduced to dust by Israeli airstrikes. Abu Mohammed, one of the returnees, expressed his despair, saying, “Look at the situation. There’s nothing to say. People will have to sleep on the ground. Nothing is left here.”
A ceasefire began in Gaza on January 19 after 15 months of bloody conflict. Before the truce, relentless Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of over 47,000 people in Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands injured. On the other side, Hamas attacks in Israel killed 1,200 people. Additionally, around 250 individuals were taken captive by Hamas fighters and brought to Gaza.
Discussions on the Next Phases of the Ceasefire
The ceasefire in Gaza will be implemented in three phases, with the first phase currently underway, spanning six weeks. During this phase, Hamas will release a total of 33 hostages to Israel, while Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return. So far, seven hostages have returned to Israel, and 290 Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons.
Discussions for the second phase of the ceasefire are set to begin by next Tuesday. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are mediating the agreement. A high-level Hamas delegation, led by Mohammed Darwish, has already arrived in Cairo to negotiate the second phase. If these talks succeed, Hamas is expected to release another 60 hostages, while Israel will fully withdraw its military forces from Gaza. Following this, the third phase of the ceasefire will commence.
Hamas Leader Optimistic About Second Phase of Ceasefire Talks
Hamas leader Sami Al-Zuhri has expressed confidence that discussions on the second phase of the ceasefire will begin within the stipulated time. He believes there will be positive progress in the talks, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no other option but to move forward with the second phase of the ceasefire.