Former Singapore President Halimah Yacob condemns Trump’s plan to take over Gaza as ‘truly horrifying’

SINGAPORE: Former Singapore President Halimah Yacob has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on the Gaza Strip, calling them “truly horrifying.” During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday (5 Feb), Trump announced an extraordinary plan for the US to “take over” and “own” Gaza after resettling Palestinians elsewhere. In a Facebook post on 5 February, Halimah denounced Trump’s comments, describing his proposal as “a clear violation of international laws.” She likened his remarks to the forced displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, known as the “Nakba” or catastrophe. “The Palestinians have suffered so much. The 750,000 Palestinians who were forced from their homes in 1948, the first Nakba, live in Gaza. Now a second Nakba? This is the last indignity to inflict on the suffering Palestinians,” she wrote. She questioned the impact of Trump’s rhetoric on ongoing diplomatic efforts, stating, “With such rhetoric, where is the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, supposed to be negotiated and peace heading?” A three-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on 19 January, was brokered by the Biden administration with mediation from Qatar and Egypt, according to media reports. While some hostages abducted by Hamas have been exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, the ceasefire remains temporary, with second-phase negotiations still in early stages. Halimah concluded her post with a pointed remark: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Public Reactions

Netizens responded to Halimah’s Facebook post with strong opinions on Trump’s remarks about Gaza. One user argued that the forceful displacement of long-oppressed Palestinians from Gaza amounted to ethnic cleansing and a war crime. They stated that while Trump had the authority to deport illegal immigrants from the United States, he had no right to remove Palestinians from their homeland. Another user asserted that the US should not interfere in Gaza’s development, emphasising that it was Palestinian land and that its future should be decided by the Palestinian people. They hoped that the US would limit its involvement to providing humanitarian aid, given the immense suffering Gaza’s residents had already endured. A different commenter suggested that if the US truly supported peace, it should focus on rebuilding homes, infrastructure, amenities, and schools for Palestinians as a condition for the ceasefire. They stressed that both Israel and Palestine deserved statehood. One user criticised Trump for meddling in the Gaza issue, arguing that he should prioritise rebuilding his own country instead. They described his plan as a clear violation on multiple levels that could not be justified. Another commenter claimed that international law seemed irrelevant when it came to Trump and Netanyahu, accusing them of trampling legal principles as long as it suited them. They expressed frustration that the world was passively watching as illegal occupations took place without consequences. One user remarked that great powers ultimately answered only to themselves. They doubted that many countries would dare to stand up to the US, adding that even if the US faced universal condemnation, it was likely that Washington would push forward with its plan regardless.

Trump Proposes US Takeover of Gaza

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday (5 Feb), Trump outlined a controversial redevelopment plan for Gaza. He proposed that the US would assume control of the territory after relocating its Palestinian population, claiming the plan could transform Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” “The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” Trump declared, suggesting “long-term ownership” by the United States. He insisted that his vision for Gaza would create something “magnificent.” Netanyahu, a key US ally, responded by saying Trump’s plan could “change history” and was worth “paying attention to.” However, Trump appeared to indicate that Gaza would not be rebuilt for its Palestinian residents. “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. Instead, he proposed relocating Gaza’s two million inhabitants to “other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts."

Hamas Calls for Emergency Arab Summit

In response to Trump’s comments, Palestinian group Hamas issued a statement on Thursday (6 Feb), calling for an emergency Arab summit to reject any plans for Palestinian resettlement outside Gaza. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem condemned Trump’s proposal, calling it “completely unacceptable.” “Gaza belongs to its people, and they will not leave,” Qassem said, describing the plan as “a declared intention to occupy the strip.” “We do not need any country to run Gaza, nor will we accept replacing one occupation with another,” he added, accusing Israel and the US of coordinating efforts to forcibly remove Palestinians from their land. Qassem also stressed the need for Palestinian unity to resist any displacement plans and urged Arab states to reject Trump’s pressure to relocate Gaza’s population.