Al Mayadeen –February 4, 2025
'Palestinians have no alternative' but to leave Gaza, Trump says
US President Donald Trump continues to push for his plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza as he seeks to uproot the entire population in a move that amounts to ethnic cleansing.
US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have "no alternative" but to leave, describing the besieged enclave as a "demolition site."
"I think that if they have the opportunity, they would love to [move]. If they had an alternative… they have no alternative right now," Trump told reporters. "I mean, have you seen the picture of it, have you been there? I mean, it is terrible there. Who can live like that?"
Trump further claimed that Gaza was "unsafe" and "unsanitary," adding, "What is Gaza? There is practically not a building standing… The whole place is demolished. It is not a place where people want to live."
In addition to his remarks on Gaza, Trump expressed support for the idea of Jordan and Egypt accepting Palestinians from the Strip.
"We continue to press for this idea that Jordan and Egypt take Palestinians from Gaza," he said. "Yeah, I would like to see Jordan, I'd like to see Egypt take some [Palestinians]."
The statement comes amid growing international concerns over the Israeli occupation's ongoing military assault on Gaza, which has led to mass displacement and humanitarian devastation.
'Israel' is 'small'
In a similar vein, Trump avoided answering a reporter's question in the Oval Office on whether he would support "Israel" annexing the West Bank, instead offering an unusual analogy about the country's size.
"I'm not going to talk about that. It certainly is a small, it's a small country in terms of land," Trump responded when asked about his stance on the issue.
Holding up a pen from his desk, he continued, "See this pen? This wonderful pen on my desk is the Middle East, and the top of the pen — that's Israel."
He then added, "That's not good, right? You know, it's a pretty big difference. I use that as an analogy — it's pretty accurate, actually."
Trump appeared to be emphasizing the Israeli occupation's territorial size, stating, "It's a pretty small piece of land. It's amazing what they've been able to do when you think about it, [There's] a lot of good, smart brain power, but it is a very small piece of land, no question about it."
Trump Reaffirms pressure on Iran
During the same press briefing, Trump reiterated his stance on Iran, saying he would be willing to meet with Iranian officials to discuss what the US claims were Tehran’s efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. He also stressed that Iran was "too close" to acquiring a nuclear weapon and defended Washington’s efforts to block Iranian oil sales.
As part of his administration’s policies, Trump announced the signing of a "very tough" directive restoring his maximum pressure campaign on Iran. He also formalized a decision to withdraw US engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council and continue withholding funding from the UN Palestinian Relief Agency (UNRWA).
The moves reflect Trump's broader foreign policy approach, which has been marked by strong support for the Israeli occupation, maximum pressure on Iran, and a rollback of US involvement in international institutions.
Hamas calls Trump plan a ‘recipe for chaos’
The so-called plan, which Trump described as a "long-term ownership position," was met with immediate condemnation from Palestinian groups.
The Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas called it a "recipe for chaos and tension in the region" and vowed that "our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass."
The group’s denouncement came amid predictions that the proposal could escalate tensions in the region and spark new waves of resistance across the Palestinian territories and beyond.
Some regional states, including Saudi Arabia, likewise firmly rejected any attempt to displace Palestinians, citing the Palestinian nation’s demand for establishment of their own independent state.
Trump’s comments also drew criticism from various activists and experts. Omar Baddar, a political analyst, slammed the announcement, saying, "He’s essentially declaring the destruction of Palestinian society and the scattering of its people."
American congresswoman Rashida Tlaib called out Trump for "openly calling for ethnic cleansing."
International law experts and human rights organizations have, meanwhile, raised concerns over the legality of Trump's proposal, warning that forced displacement and foreign occupation of Gaza would violate numerous international treaties and conventions.
"This plan disregards the rights of the Palestinian people and sets a dangerous precedent for unilateral land grabs," said Abed Ayoub, executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), a US-based civil rights organization.
Netanyahu, however, praised Trump as "the greatest friend Israel has ever had" and suggested that the scheme could "change history."
The ICC-wanted Israeli official’s trip to the US has already conjured up strong denouncement on the part of various regional and international organizations, figures, and groups over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Separately, Trump cast doubt on the stability of a ceasefire agreement between the Israeli regime and Hamas that is expected to end the genocide.
"The [Israeli] strikes could start tomorrow. There’s not a lot left to strike," he said amid Tel Aviv’s regular violations of the deal.
He also alleged that the “American-led plan” would lead to the war-wracked Palestinian territory’s “transformation.”
Critics, though, have argued that Trump's proposal could be intended to divert attention from ongoing controversies surrounding his administration, while US Senator Chris Murphy has called it a "reckless distraction from domestic issues."
Trump promotes ethnic cleansing of Palestinians via 'take over' plot
Trump expanded on his plans for permanently displacing Palestinians, his Iran policy, and normalization in the Middle East, during a press conference with Netanyahu.
United States President Donald Trump pushed for Washignton's "take over" of the Gaza Strip, during a joint news conference held with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We'll own it. And be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on this site," Trump said.
Plot for ethnic cleansing via urban development
Although Trump’s rhetoric was blunt, the idea of forcibly displacing Palestinians from their homeland has been a recurring theme in Israeli discourse since the establishment of the occupation. Often referred to with terminology like "transfer" or "incentivized immigration," these terms have long served as a facade for what is, in effect, ethnic cleansing. The strategy has relied on making life in the occupied territories increasingly intolerable, pushing millions of Palestinians into permanent displacement under the guise of voluntary relocation.
Now, Trump sets his sights on the ravaged Palestinian territories for a new urban development project, a plan that, if realized, would result in the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Meanwhile, a smug Netanyahu said that Trump's plan for the US to take control of the Gaza Strip would "change history." The Israeli prime minister said, "It's worth paying attention to" Trump's ideas on Gaza.
The US president further explained that he expected the US to take "long-term ownership" of the Gaza Strip, saying that it would create "thousands of jobs" in the region. He also called for the displacement of Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip, after previously suggesting that they be housed in Egypt and Jordan on a permanent basis.
He said that he would not allow for "the rebuilding and occupation" of Gaza by the same people, instead floating the idea of a US takeover of the besieged territory.
"It should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have really stood there and fought for it and lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there," he said.
"I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East," Trump told reporters.
"This was not a decision made lightly, everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land," he boasted.
The US president even went as far as saying that the Gaza Strip could become "the Riviera of the Middle East."
Despite regional governments, parties, and Palestinians rejecting the displacement of Palestinians Trump continued to tout the idea, making it the focal point of Tuesday's meeting with Netanyahu.
The greatest friend Israel has had
Netanyahu also spoke at the conference, dedicating a substantial portion of his speech to praise Trump for supporting his regime.
"You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House," Netanyahu told Trump.
The Israeli prime minister celebrated multiple decisions made by Trump during both terms of his presidency. This ranged from Washington's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, the relocation of the US embassy to occupied al-Quds, launching the "Abraham Accords" for normalization with Arab governments, and the freeing up of munitions deliveries to the Israeli regime.
Normalization with Saudi Arabia
Reporters also asked the two officials about the status of normalization talks with Saudi Arabia.
"I think peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only feasible, I think it's going to happen," Netanyahu said. Just earlier, Trump and Netanyahu had addressed the media as the Israeli prime minister arrived at the White House, where Trump had claimed that Saudi Arabia does not want a Palestinian state.
Although the establishment of an independent Palestinian state has been a key condition of Saudi officials during talks, Trump seemingly dismissed these demands. However, when questioned later by reporters over the issue, both refrained from reaffirming Trump's previous statement, leaving the issue unresolved.
Soon after, the Saudi Foreign Ministry released a statement reaffirming its demands for an independent Palestinian state, adding that it rejects all attempts for the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland.
Most aggressive sanctions against Iran
On Iran, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to enforcing the "most aggressive" sanctions on Iran, a move he argues is necessary to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump applauded his own decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, saying that it was the "worst deal."
He said that the renewed sanctions aim to drive Iranian oil exports to zero and reduce Tehran's ability to support liberation movements.
Yet, Trump left the possibility for diplomatic negotiations open, stating that he was “unhappy” about reinstating sanctions on Iran. He emphasized that his primary concern was ensuring Iran never develops nuclear weapons.
“ I hated to do it, just so you understand. And I hope we’re going to be able to do something so that it doesn’t end up in a very catastrophic situation. I don’t want to see that happen,” Trump said.
Two Israeli soldiers killed, several injured in shooting near Tubas
The Israeli military radio had confirmed that eight soldiers were injured in total, with two sustaining fatal wounds.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed and six others were wounded on Tuesday morning in a shooting operation near the village of Tayasir, east of Tubas, in the northern occupied West Bank.
Israeli military radio had confirmed that eight soldiers were injured in total, with two sustaining fatal wounds. The wounded were airlifted to hospital by a military helicopter.
Escalation in the occupied West Bank
Israeli media reported that the shooting took place near a village where the Israeli army is operating as part of its aggression on the northern West Bank.
Israeli media added that the Tayasir area witnessed an armed confrontation between a Palestinian man and Israeli soldiers, which led to fatalities and injuries among the Israeli forces.
Later, it was confirmed that the Palestinian who carried out the operation was martyred.
In detail, the shooter had reached the military checkpoint near Tayasir, barricaded himself inside a watchtower, opened fire on the soldiers, and engaged in confrontations with them, according to Israeli media.
Following the operation, the Israeli military completely closed the Tayasir checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, and is conducting searches in its vicinity while recalling reinforcements to the area.
The Israeli occupation army has launched a brutal aggression on the West Bank in the past two weeks, resorting to military methods it had rarely used in the past in the area.
Recently, the military deployed Eitan AFVs, which the Nahal Brigade usually uses in combat, in the Tubas and Jenin areas, for the first time since “Operation Defensive Shield" in 2002.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced yesterday that 70 Palestinians have been martyred in the West Bank governorates since the beginning of this year, most of whom were from the Jenin governorate.
In a statement, the ministry specified that the death toll included 10 children, a woman, and two elderly individuals.
Turkiye welcomes 15 Palestinian detainees exiled by Israel
The prisoners are among those expected to be forced out of Gaza and the West Bank.
15 Palestinian detainees freed as part of the first phase of the exchange deal between Hamas and "Israel" arrived in Turkiye from Gaza, Anadolu Agency reported.
Turkish Intelligence said the Palestinian detainees were sent to Turkiye from Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. RIA Novosti sources confirmed that the prisoners indeed arrived in Turkiye.
A Palestinian source said that seven of the prisoners arriving in Turkey were from occupied al-Quds, three from al-Khalil, two from Ramallah, two from Jenin, and one from Nablus.
70 Palestinian prisoners who had life sentences were sent to Egypt on January 25 after they were freed from occupation prisons.
Turkiye, Qatar, Malaysia, and Pakistan are set to receive 15 prisoners each out of the 70 freed detainees.
Four prisoner swaps so far
"Israel" and Hamas have completed four prisoner exchanges so far: 583 Palestinian detainees and prisoners in exchange for 18 Israeli captives in total.
The fourth and most recent exchange took place on February 1, when 111 detainees from Gaza and 72 prisoners who were serving life sentences were released in exchange for 3 Israeli captives.
The third exchange took place on January 30. It saw the release of 3 Israeli captives and 5 Thai nationals. In return, Gaza received 110 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in return.
The second exchange took place on January 25, when four female occupation soldiers were released in exchange for 200 Palestinian detainees and prisoners.
The first exchange took place on January 30, when Hamas released three Israeli women in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Trump-Netanyahu meeting
Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office announced that "Israel" will send a delegation to Doha this week to "discuss technical details related to the continued implementation of the agreement."
Hamas has expressed its readiness to continue the second phase of the ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
The second phase aims to secure the release of remaining captives and a significant number of Palestinian prisoners and lay out steps toward ending the Israeli war, which has devastated the Palestinian territory of 2.4 million people.
Anadolu Agency – February 4, 2025
380 Palestinians arrested by Israel in occupied West Bank since Gaza ceasefire
The Israeli army has detained 380 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Jan. 19, a prisoners' affairs group said on Tuesday.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society said that the highest number of arrests were reported in the northern city of Jenin and its refugee camp where 110 people were taken into custody.
According to the group, 22 people were also rounded up in the city of Tubas and 20 others in Tulkarem.
On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched an assault on Jenin city and its refugee camp, killing at least 25 Palestinians. The offensive was later expanded to include the city of Tulkarem, where four Palestinians were killed.
The Israeli army has detained 380 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Jan. 19, a prisoners' affairs group said on Tuesday.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society said that the highest number of arrests were reported in the northern city of Jenin and its refugee camp where 110 people were taken into custody.
According to the group, 22 people were also rounded up in the city of Tubas and 20 others in Tulkarem.
On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched an assault on Jenin city and its refugee camp, killing at least 25 Palestinians. The offensive was later expanded to include the city of Tulkarem, where four Palestinians were killed.
US flights deporting detained asylum seekers to Guantanamo 'under way'
Guantanamo is mainly known as a detention centre for terrorism suspects but has also housed migrants, with US President Trump recently ordering a 30,000-person "migrant facility" there.
The first US flights carrying detained irregular asylum seekers to America's notorious Guantanamo military base in Cuba were under way as President Donald Trump's administration cracks down on illegal migration, the White House said.
"Today, the first flights from the United States to Guantanamo Bay with illegal migrants are underway," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday on Fox Business.
Trump has launched what his second administration is casting as a major effort to combat illegal migration, trumpeting immigration raids, arrests and deportations on military aircraft.
The president has made the issue a priority on the international stage as well, threatening Colombia with sanctions and massive tariffs for turning back two planeloads of deportees.
The Guantanamo prison was opened in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and has been used to indefinitely hold detainees seized during the wars and other operations that followed.
The conditions there have prompted consistent outcry from rights groups, and UN experts have condemned it as a site of "unparalleled notoriety."
'Perfect place'
Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden both sought to close the facility, but Congress has opposed efforts to shutter Guantanamo and it remains open to this day.
It still holds 15 people incarcerated for militant activity or terrorism-related offenses, among them several accused plotters of the 9/11 attacks, including self-proclaimed mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
But asylum seekers will be detained in a separate part of the base.
According to US Southern Command, there are some 300 American military personnel at Guantanamo supporting "illegal alien holding operations."
The base has for decades been used to hold Caribbean asylum seekers and refugees caught at sea, and was used in the 1990s to house tens of thousands of Haitians and Cubans who fled crises in their homelands.
They were accommodated in tent cities, with many eventually sent home after being held at Guantanamo for years.
Thousands of undocumented migrants have been arrested since Trump's January 20 inauguration, including some accused of crimes.
An unknown number have been repatriated to Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil and other countries, and Trump has vowed to expel millions.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday described Guantanamo as the "perfect place" to detain migrants as he visited the border with Mexico - an area where the Trump administration has boosted the country's military presence in recent weeks.
The Pentagon will provide any necessary assets "to support the expulsion and detention of those in our country illegally," Hegseth said.
Business Standard – February 4, 2025
18,000 Indians identified as illegal immigrants in US; 205 deported so far
A US military plane has deported 205 Indian migrants as part of President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. The C-17 aircraft departed from San Antonio, Texas, early on Tuesday morning, around 3 am IST.
Trump introduced military deportation flights last week under his emergency declaration on immigration.
"For the first time in history, we are locating and loading illegal aliens into military aircraft and flying them back to the places from which they came," Trump told reporters last month.
Following a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said he expected India to cooperate. “He (Modi) will do what’s right when it comes to taking back illegal Indian immigrants from America,” he said.
India and the US have identified around 18,000 Indian nationals in the US without legal status. In the 2023-24 period, the US Department of Homeland Security deported over 1,100 Indian nationals. Globally, 495 repatriation flights returned 160,000 individuals to 145 countries, including India.
The number of Indian migrants attempting to enter the US unlawfully has grown. In 2023-24, US officials recorded 90,415 attempts by Indian nationals to enter the country without authorisation, mostly via the northern border. Indians now make up around 3% of all unauthorised crossings, surpassing other Asian groups such as Filipinos, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data……
