A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, has issued a warning regarding a potential resurgence of efforts to displace Palestinians, citing new avenues being explored, including Israeli recognition of what is referred to as “Somaliland.” Hamdan views this as part of a broader Israeli scheme aimed at emptying Palestinian territories, both in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, of their inhabitants.
In statements made on Al Jazeera Mubasher, Hamdan asserted that Israeli proposals regarding population statistics or opinion polls suggesting Gazans’ desire to leave the Strip do not reflect reality. He emphasized that “no Palestinian wishes to leave their land,” and that aggression, siege, and destruction have never driven the Palestinian people to abandon their homeland.
Hamdan highlighted that tens of thousands of Palestinians rushed to register to return to the Gaza Strip as soon as registration opened, despite the widespread destruction and suffering. He stated that this serves as practical confirmation of their attachment to their land. He further suggested that discussions surrounding Somaliland are part of Israeli attempts to gain a foothold in the Horn of Africa region, create regional crises, and simultaneously seek an alternative arena for imposing forced displacement.
The Hamas leader affirmed that the movement has contacted Arab, Islamic, and African parties to inform them of the Palestinian national position, which rejects displacement. He cautioned against involvement in what he described as a “new crime” against the Palestinian people, emphasizing that the steadfastness and determination of Palestinians to remain on their land will thwart these plans, as previous projects have been foiled.
Hamdan also addressed media reports about a deadline allegedly given to Hamas by the United States and Israel to disarm, asserting that these reports lack any official basis. He stressed that the movement has not received any such request or information to date.
DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
