“We will not leave our land or homes, despite the great destruction . . . we are here and will remain here,” Gazan resident Iyam Jahjouh told CNN. SCREEN SHOT, CNN VIDEO.
Editor’s note: This story was first published in the People’s Tribune print edition in February, 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that the U.S. take control of and redevelop the Gaza Strip, forcing the residents into surrounding countries, less than a month after a ceasefire deal.
Trump’s suggestion sparked criticism across the world — and was met with disbelief and outrage among Gazans.
Israel has killed over 46,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Gazan Health Ministry. Israel claims the continued mass killing was retaliation against Hamas for the over 1,100 Israelis killed and over 200 hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023.
But Palestinian communities knew since 2023 that the genocide by the Israeli government was never about Hamas or the attack on Oct. 7.
“They use Hamas as an excuse to wipe out the whole state of Palestine, the whole country, because of a very small minority,” Palestinian activist Hanna Khalaf said in October 2023.
In August 2023 Human Rights Watch declared that 2022 was the “deadliest year for Palestinian children,” and that 2023 was on pace to match that number even before the genocide began.
“Regardless if Hamas is a thing or not, if we resist, we’re always going to be labeled as terrorists Khalaf said. “No person is ever going to look at our side and see the years of occupation, the use of genocide, the years of oppression going on to the Palestinians.”
But even as Trump promises to take their land after their homes were destroyed by Israel, the Gazan people still stand in resistance.
“We will not leave Gaza whatsoever,” Gazan resident Iyam Jahjouh told CNN on Feb. 5, 2024, “Even though the great destruction and everything and even the weather, we are staying here in our destroyed homes, we are steadfast in our land and we are not giving a damn to his (Trump’s) statements.”
Mark Credico is an independent journalist working in Southern Nevada. He covers subjects including government accountability, homelessness, workers' unions and the environment.
