The Intercept has confirmed that Gaza does not belong to Donald Trump, and its people are determined to stay, rejecting any forced displacement. Amidst the ruins of his home, Mansour Abu Karim, a university professor, condemned Trump’s plan to expel Palestinians, stressing that he would rather endure hardship than leave. Trump’s proposal, announced alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggests relocating Gazans to neighbouring countries under the pretext of humanitarian aid. However, Palestinians see this as yet another attempt to erase them from their homeland, a continuation of past displacement efforts that have failed due to their resilience.

Despite facing immense suffering, Palestinians refuse to be driven into exile. Noor Al-Yaqubi, who survived Israel’s war with her husband and infant daughter, is struggling to rebuild their shattered home, covering broken windows with fabric. Many, like Huda Skeik, have no homes left to repair after Israeli forces destroyed entire neighbourhoods. Yet, they remain defiant, rejecting Trump's vision of turning Gaza into a business venture. His claims of "rehabilitating Gaza" echo his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s earlier comments about the enclave's potential for real estate development, exposing a view that prioritises profit over Palestinian lives.

Trump's rhetoric about turning Gaza into a "Riviera" is met with deep scepticism. Saeed Saloul, a volunteer rescuer, witnessed horrific war crimes and refuses to trust empty promises. He fears that this plan mirrors past forced displacements in 1948 and 1967, warning that history is repeating itself. Many believe that if Gaza is rebuilt, it will not be for Palestinians but for Israeli interests. Trump's insistence on "temporary displacement" raises alarms of another Nakba, one designed to permanently erase Palestinian presence under the guise of development and security.

Even those forced to flee dream of returning. Afaf Ahmed, now in Egypt after losing 22 relatives, longs for the home that once held her family’s memories. She vows to rebuild it, rejecting Trump’s attempts to dictate Gaza’s future. Palestinians have endured unimaginable suffering but refuse to surrender their homeland. As one displaced resident put it, "We have already shed our blood, sweat, and tears for Gaza, and that will not stop just because Trump says: ‘Let’s move them somewhere else.’ That will not happen."